Underplanting Roses and Shrubs - The Best Plants to Grow
Underplanting roses and shrubs can dramatically enhance your garden’s aesthetics by adding a layered, lush look and optimizing your garden space. Here are some of the best plants for underplanting roses and shrubs:
- Geranium Rozanne (Cranesbill): This perennial blooms from late spring to frost with beautiful blue-violet flowers. It makes an excellent groundcover under roses and shrubs.
- Lavender: Both roses and lavender love sun and well-drained soil, making them a great pairing. Lavender’s silver-grey foliage and purple flowers contrast well with roses.
- Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ (Catmint): The grey-green foliage and blue flowers of this perennial make it a great companion for roses.
- Heuchera (Coral Bells): Heucheras provide wonderful foliage color and small bell-shaped flowers. They can thrive in partial shade under shrubs and roses.
- Hostas: For roses and shrubs growing in partial shade, hostas can be a great choice. Their lush foliage comes in shades from blue-green to variegated white and green.
- Epimedium (Barrenwort): This shade-loving ground cover produces delicate flowers in spring and attractive heart-shaped leaves.
- Pachysandra terminalis: This evergreen ground cover thrives in shady conditions and has lovely green foliage.
Remember, when underplanting, consider the needs of both your roses and shrubs and the companion plants you choose. The soil, light, and watering requirements should be similar to ensure all plants thrive together.
