Between the roses

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

- Graham Rice

ROSES 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 ultracompact. 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.