Roses will mix seamlessly with an array of plants, and pairing them with the right companions will create a healthy, thriving garden. It is a simple way to amplify the beauty and appeal of your blooms while at the same time warding off pests and diseases, and increasing the biodiversity of your garden. You can also create attractive displays in north-facing spaces and enjoy year-round colour and interest when your roses are dormant.

Things to keep in mind when companion planting with roses:

Give your roses space: Aim for airy growth around your rose, and space for the roots to spread. Avoid vigorous growing companions that will deplete the soil of nutrients. When planting, consider the mature width of your rose and allow for this when positioning your companion plants. As a rule, allow at least half a metre around your rose.

Match the needs of your rose with its companions: Keep in mind the water, sunlight and soil requirements of your rose when choosing companion plants. For example, a shade-loving Hosta may struggle next to a sun-loving rose.

Aim for height variation & punctuation: Position taller shrub roses and companion plants towards the back of your border and grow shorter rose varieties and plants towards the front. Add interest to the middle of your mixed border by punctuating this change in height with tall flowering annuals or perennials. Place smaller plants at the front of a border to hide mature rose stems.

Remember to regularly feed your roses: Roses are extremely hungry plants so apply a slow-release feed and mulch around your roses two to three times per year and feed a potted rose with liquid feed once a week, to keep it blooming.

Ward off rose pests and attract beneficial insects

The right companion plants will protect your rose from pests and diseases, as well as attract beneficial insects into your garden.

Hardy Geraniums are a classic companion for roses that are easy to grow while also producing beautiful flowers, deterring pests and a range of fungal diseases. Its low, bushy growth is also the ideal height to obscure the stems of mature roses.

Other timeless companions are English lavender and Catmint. Both combine a magnificent fragrance with a striking floral display, to attract pollinators and repel aphids. For dazzling spires of colour, Delphiniums combine eye-catching beauty with the ability to attract an array of pollinators. We love pairing the vibrancy of Delphiniums with the creamy white hues of the David Austin Claire Austin climbing rose, for a wonderful colour contrast.

For companions that combine dramatic silhouettes as well as the ability to ward off pests and diseases, Alliums are hard to beat. The purple varieties look wonderful paired with sunny yellow roses such as David Austin Bring Me Sunshine shrub rose. Alliums are available in a surprising array of colours and sizes, so it is worth taking the time to find the right match for your rose.

Salvias are another beautiful pairing that adds height while attracting beneficial insects and keeping mildew and blackspot at bay on your roses. Salvia Greggii varieties such as Royal Bumble and Pink Kisses all have a long flowering season and delightful blackcurrant scented foliage.

Tip: If you are unsure which colour to combine with your roses, try adding plants with purple or blue flowers as there aren’t many roses in these colours.

Companion planting for north-facing spaces

With robust and reliable growth, there are many roses that will thrive in shady areas of the garden with at least four hours of sunlight. The David Austin Mary Delany climbing rose is a wonderful example of a light pink, fragrant rose that will thrive in a north-facing border. Alternatively, David Austin Lady of Shalott shrub rose will add sunny orange and apricot shades to a darker space. You can explore our full range of roses for shady areas here.

When planting in a north-facing space, there is an opportunity to combine your rose with more architectural planting. Hydrangea paniculata and Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ will produce very large, showy flower heads that add vibrancy. The dramatic spire of a foxglove also makes a wonderful planting companion for a shady space and will act as a punctuation point to break up a mixed bed.

The wonderful Astrantia will thrive in dappled shade, producing delicate blooms in rich ruby hues. While Thalictrum produces fluffy clouds of flowers above beautiful black stems, adding movement and texture. We also love adding Valerian or ornamental Cow Parsley for a dream-like display in north-facing spaces.

For striking low-level ground cover in a shaded space, Brunnera is a reliable plant that has attractively marked foliage and delicate flowers.

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Tip: Roses will grow and thrive even in clay soil if they are regularly fed with rose food.

Rose planting for year-round interest

Create dazzling displays that enchant all year round by combining roses with plants that look at their best through autumn, winter and early spring. With an array of options available your mixed bed needn’t be dull when your roses are dormant.

For a charming colour-filled display in late winter to early spring, Pulmonarias have clusters of delicate blooms in rich purple and pink hues, while Primulas will dazzle with their vibrancy to brighten even the dullest winter day.

If you are looking for something with real wow-factor, then a winter flowering Hellebore is hard to beat. They produce an incredible floral display of large blooms even through the coldest of winters and are available in sparkling whites, vintage pinks and rich merlot shades.

For something that adds contrasting textures and movement, ornamental grasses are a wonderful choice. Pennisetum Red Head is a striking variety, with arching narrow green leaves and long bristly plumes that emerge in summer and hold together through winter. With smoky pink flowers which turn rich brown in autumn, you can admire its beautiful silhouette well into the winter months.

For effortless and cost-effective flowering companions, snowdrops or spring snowflakes (Leucojum) as well as crocuses, or early flowering daffodils and camassias are all excellent choices for underplanting roses. They will bring colour when roses are dormant, returning year after year with a display that gets better as each year passes.

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Tip: Plan your mixed border by placing plants out in pots first to ensure you have allowed enough space. Allow at least half a meter around your rose.