The Ultimate Guide to Flowers That Pair Well with Roses

Oleh Anonymous June 14, 2023 Post a Comment

Table of Contents

What Are the Best Flowers to Complement Your Rose Garden?

Roses are one of the most popular flowers in the world, known for their beauty and elegance. They come in various colors and sizes, making them versatile plants that can fit any garden or landscape design. However, roses don't have to stand alone in your garden. Pairing them with other flowers can create a stunning visual effect that enhances their beauty even more.

In this article, we'll explore some of the best flowers that pair well with roses. We'll go over their characteristics, growing requirements, and tips on how to mix and match them with your rose garden. Let's dive in!

Flowers That Pair Well With Roses: Our Top Picks

1. Lavender

Lavender is a fragrant herb that complements roses beautifully. Its purple color creates a lovely contrast with red, pink, and white roses. Lavender is also easy to grow and requires minimal care. It prefers full sun and well-draining soil. You can plant it as a border around your rose garden or in pots that you can move around.

Growing Tips:

To grow lavender, by choosing a sunny spot in your garden. Lavender prefers soil that's slightly alkaline, so make sure to add lime or wood ash if your soil is too acidic. Plant lavender in spring or fall, and water it sparingly. Prune it lightly in early spring to encourage bushy growth.

Pairing Tips:

Lavender pairs well with roses of any color, but especially with red and pink ones. You can plant them together in a mixed border or create a dedicated lavender bed next to your rose garden.

2. Salvia

Salvia is another herb that complements roses beautifully. Its tall spikes of blue, purple, or pink flowers add vertical interest to your garden, while its aromatic leaves repel pests. Salvia prefers full sun and well-draining soil. It's drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for dry climates.

Growing Tips:

To grow salvia, choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Plant it in spring or fall, and water it regularly until it establishes. Prune it lightly after the first flush of blooms to encourage reblooming.

Pairing Tips:

Salvia pairs well with roses of any color, but especially with yellow and orange ones. You can plant them together in a mixed border or create a dedicated salvia bed next to your rose garden.

3. Catmint

Catmint is a low-maintenance perennial that adds a soft touch to your rose garden. Its gray-green foliage and purple-blue flowers create a calming effect that contrasts nicely with bright-colored roses. Catmint prefers full sun and well-draining soil. It's deer-resistant and attracts bees and butterflies.

Growing Tips:

To grow catmint, choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Plant it in spring or fall, and water it regularly until it establishes. Cut it back by half after the first flush of blooms to encourage reblooming.

Pairing Tips:

Catmint pairs well with roses of any color, but especially with pink and white ones. You can plant them together in a mixed border or create a dedicated catmint bed next to your rose garden.

4. Geranium

Geranium is a versatile perennial that offers a wide range of colors and shapes. Its low-growing habit makes it an excellent groundcover around roses, while its spiky blooms add vertical interest. Geranium prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. It's deer-resistant and attracts bees and butterflies.

Growing Tips:

To grow geranium, choose a spot in your garden with well-draining soil and some shade during the hottest part of the day. Plant it in spring or fall, and water it regularly until it establishes. Cut it back by half after the first flush of blooms to encourage reblooming.

Pairing Tips:

Geranium pairs well with roses of any color, but especially with red and pink ones. You can plant them together in a mixed border or create a dedicated geranium bed next to your rose garden.

5. Peony

Peony is a classic perennial that blooms in late spring to early summer. Its large, fragrant flowers come in various shades of pink, red, and white, making it a stunning complement to roses. Peony prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. It's deer-resistant and attracts bees and butterflies.

Growing Tips:

To grow peony, choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Plant it in fall, and water it sparingly until it establishes. Don't bury the crown too deep, or it won't bloom. Mulch it lightly to protect it from winter frost.

Pairing Tips:

Peony pairs well with roses of any color, but especially with pink and white ones. You can plant them together in a mixed border or create a dedicated peony bed next to your rose garden.

Mix and Match: How to Combine Flowers in Your Rose Garden

Now that you know which flowers pair well with roses, it's time to mix and match them in your garden. Here are some tips on how to create a stunning visual effect:

1. Choose a Color Scheme

Before you planting, decide on a color scheme that complements your roses. For example, if you have red roses, consider pairing them with blue or purple flowers for a striking contrast. If you have pink roses, try adding white or yellow flowers for a softer look.

2. Create Layers

To add depth and texture to your garden, create layers of flowers that vary in height and shape. For example, you can plant tall spikes of salvia at the back of your border, followed by medium-height geraniums, and low-growing catmint around your roses.

3. Use Containers

If you don't have enough space in your garden, or if you want to move your flowers around, consider using containers. You can plant lavender, salvia, or any other flower that pairs well with roses in pots and place them next to your rose bushes.

4. Add Foliage Plants

To balance out the blooms, consider adding foliage plants that complement your roses. For example, you can plant silver-leaved artemisia or burgundy-leaved heuchera around your roses for a dramatic effect.

5. Experiment with Shapes

Don't be afraid to experiment with shapes when combining flowers in your rose garden. You can create a formal design with symmetrical beds, or a casual cottage-style garden with mixed borders. The possibilities are endless!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What are the best roses to pair with lavender?

A: Lavender pairs well with all rose colors, but especially with red and pink ones. Some good choices include 'Double Delight', 'Fragrant Plum', and 'Mister Lincoln'.

Q2: Can I plant salvia in the same bed as my roses?

A: Yes, you can plant salvia in the same bed as your roses. They complement each other beautifully and have similar growing requirements.

Q3: Do catmint and roses need the same amount of water?

A: Catmint and roses have similar watering requirements, preferring well-draining soil and moderate moisture. However, catmint is more drought-tolerant once established.

Q4: How often should I fertilize my geraniums?

A: Geraniums don't require frequent fertilization. You can apply a slow-release fertilizer in spring, or use compost or organic mulch to feed them throughout the season.

Q5: When is the best time to plant peonies?

A: The best time to plant peonies is in fall, when they're dormant. Make sure to choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil, and don't bury the crown too deep.

Pairing flowers with roses can create a stunning visual effect that enhances their beauty even more. Lavender, salvia, catmint, geranium, and peony are some of the best flowers that complement roses. By choosing a color scheme, creating layers, using containers, adding foliage plants, and experimenting with shapes, you can create a beautiful rose garden that will be the envy of your neighborhood. Happy gardening!