Ground cover plants are a wonderful addition to any rose garden. They provide beauty, help keep the soil healthy, and even protect roses from weeds and pests. These low-growing plants fill in the spaces between rose bushes, creating a lush and colorful landscape while offering practical benefits. Choosing the right ground covers can make a rose garden even more stunning and easier to care for.
Alyssum is one of the best ground covers to plant with roses. Its delicate, tiny flowers form a soft carpet beneath the roses, adding a lovely touch of white, pink, or purple to the garden. Alyssum is also highly fragrant, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies that help improve flower production. As a bonus, alyssum naturally repels certain pests, making it a great companion for healthy rose growth.
Creeping thyme is another excellent choice for a rose garden. This low-growing herb spreads quickly, covering the soil with tiny green leaves and small purple or pink flowers. It thrives in sunny conditions, just like roses, and releases a pleasant scent when stepped on. Creeping thyme also helps prevent weeds from taking over by covering the ground and blocking sunlight from reaching weed seeds.
Sweet woodruff is a beautiful and useful ground cover that grows well in partial shade, making it a great choice for areas around climbing roses. Its star-shaped white flowers bloom in the spring and early summer, creating a soft and elegant look. Sweet woodruff also helps retain soil moisture, which is especially helpful during hot summer months when roses need consistent watering.
Chamomile is another companion plant that pairs well with roses. It has small daisy-like flowers that bring a charming, natural feel to the garden. Chamomile improves the health of nearby plants by preventing fungal diseases and repelling pests. Some gardeners also use chamomile flowers to make soothing herbal tea, making it both a practical and decorative choice.
Adding ground cover plants to a rose garden enhances its beauty while improving soil health and reducing maintenance. These plants create a natural, balanced environment that supports healthy roses while keeping weeds, pests, and diseases under control. With the right companions like alyssum, creeping thyme, sweet woodruff, and chamomile, a rose garden can become even more vibrant and full of life.