Amateur Gardening – 29 June 2019

R

oses are at their peak right

now and there are few things

more glorious. Their colour

and fragrance drench the

senses, while their delightful resilience

reminds us how integral they are to the

summer garden. As individual plants,

perhaps, rose bushes are not especially

elegant, but their profusion of flowers

and fragrance demands inclusion in

even the smallest space.

Modern roses often flower right

through the summer, but that’s not the

case for the old once-flowering shrub

roses – after their heady peak has

passed we’re left with a plant that is,

frankly, unremarkable. It’s the same story

before the buds open, when our rose

plantings generally look rather dull.

It makes sense, then, to make

optimum use of the growing space

between and around rose bushes, to

ensure that every inch of ground counts,

whether your plot is generous or ultra-

compact. And the best way to do so

is by choosing plants that not only

complement flowering roses, but also

add visual interest before and after

they bloom – and provide essential

weed-smothering ground cover.

Beautiful backdrop

You can fill the space with perennials,

annuals and low shrubs in colours that

complement the roses. The idea is to

ensure that weeds do not become

established in the bare earth, and to

provide a backdrop that will showcase

your beautiful blooms to great effect.

Planting climbers to grow through

well-established roses is another useful

strategy, and one that not only makes

the most of the space but can also

provide a happy harmony of flower

colouring. Meanwhile, carefully chosen

varieties of shrubs, perennials and even

bulbs can extend the flowering season

of the area into the autumn.

For the period before your roses

get going, you might want to consider

naturalising early spring bulbs between

them. This works very well, although it

does mean giving more thought to when

(and how) you prune and mulch. The last

thing you want is to trample on your

crocuses when pruning your roses in

early spring! My tip? Place a generous

piece of flat stone in front of each rose

bush to stand on while pruning.

once you start to view the space

between your roses as a planting

opportunity, the possibilities are endless.

Plants with big broad leaves; with long

and slender leaves; with silvery or soft or

fine filigree-textured leaves – they’ll all

enhance the display. exactly what you

plant will depend on which roses you

have, and your own personal taste – just

so long as you plant something.

Intersperse roses with complementary plants like Alchemilla

mollis and penstemons and you’ll not only keep down

weeds but ensure a longer season of interest, too

32 AmAteur GArDeNING 29 JUNE 2019

To make the most of your roses – and the space they need – choose planting partners

that will enhance the display before, during and after blooming, says Graham Rice

Between the

roses