Monocropping (Noun)
A cultivated crop that does not rotate with other crops in a particular field or area.
(Oxford Languages dictionary)
Roses do best in a garden setting, that incorporates other plants. We like plants that provide multiple benefits, from combatting diseases common to roses, as well as promoting pollinator activity, and attracting beneficial insects.
Companion planting is common in gardens, and is something Laughing Goat Farm is moving towards, as a method of promoting better plant health and soil ecosystems, as well as providing multi-season interest, and both educating and inspiring our guests as to what does well, and will look great. Copying what we do is encouraged - if you like what you see, please take the idea back to your own gardens.
Salvia, or sage, has so many beautiful cultivars that you can mix and match colors with your roses based on your personal taste. These beautiful floral spikes are long-lasting in a garden, and provide textural interest. Such a great addition to any garden space! Some varieties are more hardy than others, and they do require well-draining soils, so plan to amend soils or plant in an area where they won’t be sitting in wet or heavy soils.
Some salvia suggestions:
Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’
Salvia x sylvestnis ‘Blue Hill’
Salvia x sylvestris ‘Mainacht’
Salvia x sylvestris ‘Tanzerin’
Other great companion plants for roses include:
Alyssum - attracts syrphid flies, which attack aphids
Nepeta (Catmint) - fills in the underplanting area of a rose, to hide those bare canes at the base of a rose plant.
Marigold - attracts beneficial insects, repels pests
Thyme - scent repels pests
Chives - scent repels pests, help increase perfumed fragrance of rose blooms!
Coreopsis - attracts beneficial insects, also a showy bloomer
Speedwell - minimal care, architectural interest to contrast with roses, also requires well-draining soil
Feverfew - repels aphids
Yarrow - attracts ladybugs. Yarrow can spread, so plan to keep this one in check.
Thymus x citriodorus 'Silver Lemon"
Helichrysum ‘Icicles’
Nepeta faasennii 'Cat's Meow'