Ideas for Planting Roses
Roses don't have to live in a dedicated formal bed — worked thoughtfully into the rest of a garden, they can serve several different design roles at once.
Beyond the Formal Rose Bed
Shrub roses work beautifully as an informal flowering hedge along a fence or property line, while a single climbing rose trained up an arbor or trellis creates a dramatic focal point. Mixing roses into a perennial border, rather than isolating them, lets their foliage and form add structure even when they're not in bloom.
Miniature roses tucked into containers near a patio or entryway bring their fragrance and color to high-traffic spots close to the house.
Pairing roses with companion plants like lavender or catmint at their base hides the sometimes-bare lower stems of a rose bush while adding complementary color and fragrance.
Planning for Mature Size
Whatever the placement, checking a rose variety's mature size before planting avoids the common mistake of crowding roses too close to walkways or other plants once they've fully grown in.
