Plant one flower beside your roses to help them thrive. There are many companion plants that you can place beside your roses, and one of them is great for attracting insects that are good for the flowers. Roses add a stunning burst of colour to a British garden, and they have been a favourite flower for generations of gardeners. Like all flowers, roses require specific care, attention and protection. One of the best ways to help your roses thrive is through companion planting.
Companion planting is when you place flowers or other plants beside each other to help their respective growth and add an extra layer of protection. This can have many benefits, including stronger growth and protection from pests. But while some plants are advised to keep certain insects away, others are recommended to attract insects that have great benefits for roses. One of those flowers is salvias, which are a great companion plant for roses.
According to Gardener’s World, salvias are one of many flowers that are great for placing beside roses. The gardening experts revealed: “They’re long-flowering and their spire shapes give contrasting structure and interest. They also attract a huge number of beneficial insects, and it’s said that they help to keep mildew and blackspot at bay.”
Salvia is the largest plant in the sage family. They grow tall and in many colours, so they add a lovely spark to your garden, especially in the summer months as more colourful flowers bloom.
Meanwhile, the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery says that salvias help to stop fungal diseases in roses, especially during warm weather. They explain: “They are aromatic plants which release scent as they warm up in the sun. Their scent profile contains sulphur which has fungicidal properties. As the scent wafts up through the rose bush it significantly inhibits fungal growth.”
According to the Royal Horticultural Society, salvias originate from the Mediterranean and the Americas, so they will enjoy a light, free-draining soil and a sunny position in your garden.
The plant is popular with bees, so as pollinators arrive, it will benefit many things in your garden. Depending on the type, salvias are planted at different times of the year, but most of them go in the ground in late Spring or early summer.
While they are tolerant of drought, they will need to be watered during their initial growing season. If you are growing them in borders, you will not need to feed them as they are not hungry plants.