This rose is lonely and needs some companions...

6 years ago

I'm trying to figure out what to plant to the left and right of this rose bush.

On the left (where the trash can is) I am hoping to find something taller than the rose --

maybe 5-6 feet tall max - is evergreen, likes full sun and is drought tolerant and works as a backdrop to perennials. I'm opening to any and all ideas. I'm in zone 10 (Northern California) What do you think about arbutus unedo or olive or princess flower or ceanothus or mountain flax or pineapple guava (fejoia)? Dodonaea is too feathery i think. Would like something more dense.

Also need ideas for the right side to balance out the rose...Thank you so much for your help!!!

Also, should I plant some trailing/creeping rosemary over the wall to the right of the rose to hide the planter wall?

Featured Answer

Embothrium

6 years ago

Follow the curb instead of the wall with the additional roses, put something taller behind.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
location
plantmomzone10asunset16 thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
Embothrium
6 years ago
Intense flower color of rose needs something light blue, silvery or white variegated to tone it down. If the trailing rosemary were seen blooming at the same time it would provide that effect - during the time that it was in bloom. Otherwise at the moment there's a panel Browse Outdoor Photos on Houzz on the right side of the page I'm being shown that has a picture with Russian sage in it. Which makes me think that would look great with your rose.

Otherwise another way to make it look less lonely is to plant more roses around it. With more of the same kind perhaps being preferable to a mixture.
plantmomzone10asunset16 thanked Embothrium
Related Professionals
Middletown Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Plattsburgh Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Lafayette Landscape Contractors · Green Bay Landscape Contractors · San Diego Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Covington Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · South Bend Landscape Contractors · Springfield Landscape Contractors · Fredericksburg Home Builders · Superior Home Builders · Billings Home Builders · Orlando Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Lynchburg Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · New Braunfels Home Builders · Duluth Home Builders
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I agree. More of the same rose was my first thought. For toning down I’d use green. Not sure about Russian sage. The foliage would work but not convinced about those yellow flowers.
plantmomzone10asunset16 thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
Embothrium
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I was talking about perovskia.
plantmomzone10asunset16 thanked Embothrium
plantmomzone10asunset16
Original Author
6 years ago
@ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5 zone 10A - rose gets all day sun - the hill behind it is east facing
plantmomzone10asunset16
Original Author
6 years ago
@Embothrium I recently saw Russian Sage in a friend's neighborhood and I didn't know what it was...I love it!
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
6 years ago
Duh. Sorry. Confusing it with Jerusalem sage. Perovskia would be great.
emmarene9
6 years ago
I wouldn't put anything tall there. I would do something like this.

Use a low Perennial that works in your area. I used a Dianthus and drew ovals for two more.

I'm not sure I would plant anything in the more narrow part of the planter with the Rose. I remember this is your mother's garden and she is not able to do as much as she once did. It would be fine with just mulch. I also think I mentioned last time that the wall is attractive and does not need to be hidden.

I grow and recommend Perovskia and Salvia leucantha. Both can get larger than people seem to imagine when they plant them.

My Perovskia is cultivar Blue Steel which is meant to be smaller but I'm waiting to find how tall it will get.

In general it is not good to have a lot of singletons.
plantmomzone10asunset16
Original Author
6 years ago
@emmarene9 I agree that it's not good to have a lot of singletons...thanks for confirming that! Interesting idea to place another rose on the left...I am going to play around with photoshop. Maintenance is not a limitation. My mom can't do it anymore, but I can...