Roses are a stunning addition to any garden, available in a variety of shades that can transform the look of flower beds with their delicate petals. Coming into bloom each year in late May, they make for an ideal spring garden feature, but ensuring they’re properly cared for requires a bit of attention, especially as they’re susceptible to several diseases. 

While spring is a time of year when many flowers begin to bloom, it also sees the arrival of garden pests that can cause havoc outdoors, particularly aphids. The tiny critters are especially attracted to roses, feeding on the flower and often encouraging fungal diseases like sooty mould. Roses require plenty of sunlight and water, but watering them at the wrong time of day can also result in diseases like black spot and powdery mildew, which thrive in dark and moist environments. Taking care of roses can be quite a process of trial and error, but knowing where to place them in the garden can help prevent diseases, especially if they’re placed near a few specific plants. 

Companion planting is a method frequently used by gardeners to help protect plants and flowers, and roses are no different. Whether it’s deterring pests or improving the quality of soil, it’s a low-effort way to care for your garden. 

But when planting companions for roses, it’s important to keep in mind that roses are hungry plants that require plenty of space in flower beds in order to get enough nutrients from the soil. Choosing plants that don’t need to compete with is essential for a harmonious garden. 

To make this simpler, Burford Garden Co. have shared a list of plants that make for ideal rose companions, protecting the flower from common diseases and helping them flourish outdoors. 

Five plants that will encourage healthy roses

1. Marigolds 

Frequently used as a companion plant in the garden, marigolds naturally repel aphids that feed on roses and spread diseases, making them ideally placed near the flowers. They also attract beneficial insects like ladybirds and lacewings, which feed on aphids and other pests.

2. Salvia 

A reliable companion for roses, salvias are known to have a long flowering period, producing pretty lavender buds. But it’s not just their appearance that makes them an ideal companion, the flower also releases a natural fungicide when warmed by the sun, helping to prevent diseases like mildew and blackspot in roses. 

3. Alliums 

A flowering plant that includes edible varieties, including onions, garlic, chives and shallots, they release a strong aroma that helps repel aphids and slugs from roses, and can even help enhance the strength of roses’ fragrance. The sulphur compounds found in their foliage also improve soil quality, keeping roses strong and healthy. 

4. Nepeta

A low-maintenance plant known for producing pretty blue flowers, nepeta’s strong scent masks that of roses, making them a less attractive option for pests, including aphids, ants and Japanese beetles.

5. Alchemilla Molli

A classic companion for roses that’s more commonly known as lady’s mantle, the low-maintenance ground-cover plant protects flower beds while repelling pests from roses thanks to its strong aroma.