Great Rose Companion Plants: Allium

Roses need friends or companion plants around them for various reasons, including pest and disease control, the longer season of interest, and aesthetics.

Growing roses by themselves is an open invitation to the pests and diseases that favor roses. Roses are healthier when provided with companion plants that help repel destructive bugs while encouraging beneficial insects.

What is Allium?

Allium is a genus of flowering plants that includes over 700 species. This genus includes many familiar edible plants such as onions, garlic, shallots, and chives. It also includes ornamental alliums prized for their striking, globe-like flower clusters that tower above other plants in the garden. These plants, which come in various sizes and shades of purple, pink, and white, are incredibly effective for adding height and bursts of color to any landscape.

Native to temperate regions, these plants bloom in late spring to early summer, offering both culinary and ornamental value.

Not only are these plants aesthetically pleasing, but they also have a practical use in the garden. Their pungent scent can help deter pests from the garden, and their flowers are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators, promoting biodiversity. After their blooms fade, the dried flower heads also add interest to the garden.

Easy to care for, alliums are typically resistant to pests and diseases, drought-tolerant, and can thrive in most soil types as long as it is well-draining. These characteristics make them popular among gardeners seeking both beauty and convenience in their plant selections.

Alliums are plants of exquisite beauty that deserve a place in rose borders. Reliable, they come back year after year, are easy to grow and undemanding, and many outstanding varieties harmonize perfectly with early-blooming roses. Chives are easy to grow and look very charming among shrub roses.

Why is Allium a Good Rose Companion Plant?

Alliums are great companion plants for roses due to several reasons:

• Pest Deterrence: Alliums are known to deter certain pests that can be harmful to roses. This is because alliums, which include plants like onions, garlic, and chives, have a strong scent that pests such as aphids, weevils, borers, and moles.
• Attract Beneficial Insects: The tall, round flowers of alliums attract pollinators and beneficial insects, like bees and ladybugs, which can help pollinate the roses and control pest populations.
• Complementary Looks: Alliums offer a contrast to the soft, romantic look of roses with their tall, spherical flowers. They bloom around the same time as many roses, and their vibrant purple color can complement the various hues of roses.
• Non-Competitive: Alliums have a different growth habit and root system from roses, meaning they don’t compete for resources.
• Improves Soil Health: When the alliums’ foliage decomposes, it can help improve soil structure and nutrient availability.

Remember, good companion planting involves understanding the needs of each plant and ensuring they don’t compete for space, light, water, and nutrients. It also involves managing pests and diseases and promoting biodiversity in your garden.