Good companions are said to enhance one another’s growth or, in some way, protect each other from harm. They all have modest water requirements and will benefit from the heavy feeding regime that roses demand.
Many sun-loving annuals such as heliotropes ( Heliotropium), summer-snapdragon ( Angelonia), lantana ( Lantana), and verbena ( Verbena) hold up well throughout the summer and fill the space among roses nicely. Plants that are too aggressive may crowd the roses and take too much water and nutrients from the soil. Roses do best in full sun and well-drained soil, and so should their companions. Good companions should enjoy the same growing conditions but not compete too aggressively with the roses. Good companions also act as living mulches-suppressing weeds and lightly shading the soil, keeping their roots nice and cool. Traditionally, lavender ( Lavandula), catmint ( Nepeta), lady’s mantle ( Alchemilla) and tall growing pinks ( Dianthus) all make good partners. Good companions are those that hide their bare legs. While the tops of roses are nice and lush, the bottoms can become leggy and sparse. The feathery purple and blue-gray catmint ( Nepeta) offsets any pale pink rose beautifully, and its wispy spires gracefully camouflage any blemishes that may occur on the rose’s foliage. Some plants just seem to be made for each other.
Companion planting can also extend the flowering season by providing color between the main flushes of rose bloom in early summer and fall. Plants with tall spires complement the wide, cup-shaped flowers of roses, while perennials and shrubs with pale green, silver or purple leaves accentuate the sumptuous rose blossoms. Texture, color, and form are all important in the aesthetics of companion planting. Another component of companion planting, one often referred to in organic gardening, is selecting companions that ward off pests, improve the soil or in other ways have a beneficial effect on plant health. Plant companions should both look good together and require similar growing conditions. There are several considerations when choosing suitable plant companions: aesthetics, growing conditions, and plant health. Plants, like people, are searching for partners that will make them look good, bring out their best qualities and share their space with equanimity - neither overpowering nor paling in comparison. Photo courtesy of Flickr cc/Karen Roe What makes a good companion?
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