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#1
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groundcover for rose bed?
Hello folks--
Just wanted to ask about a good and easy care groundcover for my new rose bed--there are 10 different roses there--all are short varieties--border and *groundcover* types--and they are planted in the front section of my front yard, which is sunny all day. Although it's been wet this Spring, it tends to get dry here in July and August, and so whatever goes there will need to tolerate some dryness and heat--although I *will* be pampering my roses, no matter the water restrictions! The bed just seems so bare now--just the roses (which have started to sprout little shoots the last few days) and the mulch--I think some nice short groundcover plants would really make it look nice! I will probably order whatever you suggest from Bluestone Perennials--my first order from them came last week, and I'm very pleased with what they sent--and so I'll order from them again. I go through serious *brain fog/sensory overload* when going to a place like Lowe's (even for plants, etc), and so I prefer to make most of my gardening purchases through the internet. Thanks in advance, Jean in VA -- "If you are going through hell, keep going." Winston Churchill |
#2
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groundcover for rose bed?
Jean, the inclination is for most folks to combine roses with lavenders - they
seem to be a natural combination. However, the cultural conditions that roses like (ample water, fertile soil and regular fertilization) are exactly what lavender doesn't want. My roses are mixed in with scores of other plants, but if I were to single them out, I'd underplant with hardy geraniums. They will love the same conditions, are exceedingly easy to grow and flower in complimentary colors and over an extended season. There are dozens of varieties. Check out the "full sun groundcover" thread from Monday - I listed a bunch that will work great and keep to a manageable height to show off the roses. Disclaimer: - have no personal interest in pushing hardy geraniums :-)) They just seem to fit the bill very well for both situations where I suggested them. pam - gardengal "Jean S. Barto" wrote: Hello folks-- Just wanted to ask about a good and easy care groundcover for my new rose bed--there are 10 different roses there--all are short varieties--border and *groundcover* types--and they are planted in the front section of my front yard, which is sunny all day. Although it's been wet this Spring, it tends to get dry here in July and August, and so whatever goes there will need to tolerate some dryness and heat--although I *will* be pampering my roses, no matter the water restrictions! The bed just seems so bare now--just the roses (which have started to sprout little shoots the last few days) and the mulch--I think some nice short groundcover plants would really make it look nice! I will probably order whatever you suggest from Bluestone Perennials--my first order from them came last week, and I'm very pleased with what they sent--and so I'll order from them again. I go through serious *brain fog/sensory overload* when going to a place like Lowe's (even for plants, etc), and so I prefer to make most of my gardening purchases through the internet. Thanks in advance, Jean in VA -- "If you are going through hell, keep going." Winston Churchill |
#3
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groundcover for rose bed?
Pam wrote:
Jean, the inclination is for most folks to combine roses with lavenders - they seem to be a natural combination. However, the cultural conditions that roses like (ample water, fertile soil and regular fertilization) are exactly what lavender doesn't want. My roses are mixed in with scores of other plants, but if I were to single them out, I'd underplant with hardy geraniums. They will love the same conditions, are exceedingly easy to grow and flower in complimentary colors and over an extended season. There are dozens of varieties. Check out the "full sun groundcover" thread from Monday - I listed a bunch that will work great and keep to a manageable height to show off the roses. So far I have added Campanulas, moss phloxes, and rock soapwort in my large rose bed. I still have lots of space to cover and was considering the lavender, and Russian sage. For taller companions I have started adding delphiniums and will likely add tall phloxes, and cosmos. Underlying everything I have a large collection of species and hybrid tulips, narcissus, hyacinths, grape hyacinth and crocuses. They are all done blooming before the roses leaf out. How tall do these geraniums get, and what is the zone range? |
#4
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groundcover for rose bed?
In article , Pam writes:
I were to single them out, I'd underplant with hardy geraniums. They will love the same conditions, are exceedingly easy to grow and flower in complimentary colors and over an extended season. There are dozens of varieties. That was my recommendation also; hardy geraniums are excellent with roses. Emilie |
#5
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groundcover for rose bed?
Jean S. Barto wrote:
Hello folks-- Just wanted to ask about a good and easy care groundcover for my new rose bed--there are 10 different roses there--all are short varieties--border and *groundcover* types--and they are planted in the front section of my front yard, which is sunny all day. Although it's been wet this Spring, it tends to get dry here in July and August, and so whatever goes there will need to tolerate some dryness and heat--although I *will* be pampering my roses, no matter the water restrictions! The bed just seems so bare now--just the roses (which have started to sprout little shoots the last few days) and the mulch--I think some nice short groundcover plants would really make it look nice! Ohhhh, Jean, we all start down that slippery slope and some of us live to regret it. The roses look so small and vulnerable that we crowd them to fill up the space. Watch out! Or you could be like me, victim no. 798,434,301 to the Siren song of bare ground. My suggestion for companions is non-invasive, clumping perennials. I admit I love the look of hardy geraniums and grow about 4 varieties myself. One of them, however, is spreading all over the garden, not in a bad way *yet*, but still spreading. So beware which geranium you plant. It happens to be a lavender-blue, just what we all want. So caution. Of the easy-going clumpers, I like heuchera, and there are all kinds, with interesting foliage and good manners. I also like scabiosa, all kinds. Creeping thyme smells good when you step on it and pulls out easily. Frankly, I haven't a clue whether any of these will work in your zone. |
#6
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groundcover for rose bed?
I've been planting baby's breath, a clumping perennial. I like ones that grow in clumps, because they seem to be more "contained," and somewhat more structured looking. I've had very little luck with lavender, but will try again this year. The picture in the J&P catalog of the pink roses in the bed of baby's breath does it for me...is it Our Lady of Guadelupe, or Tournament of Roses? Either way, I love the way it looks. I like clumping ones because they tend to discourage weeds. I've got some fat buds on the Spring Hill Nurseries minis...one particular is as big around as a nickel, and is taunting me with its promise. Also broke down and ordered some WMBD (Weapons of Mass Pest Destruction): Banner Maxx, Monty's Joy Juice, Indicate, Cygon, a quart of Indicate, as well as a supply of Milky Spore. Sprayed with my favorite double-strength fish emulsion/Mancozeb/Phosphorous/Quick Start concoction...I want to kill any spores that might try to take advantage of the foliar drenching. I plan to order Messenger, newly approved for roses, this week, as well. Chemical and biological warfare can be your friends. -- Scopata Fuori |
#7
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groundcover for rose bed?
Scopata Fuori wrote:
I plan to order Messenger, newly approved for roses, this week, as well. Chemical and biological warfare can be your friends. Would you report on your results with Messenger? Who did you order from, the manufacturer? I recall being impressed by this substance, but somebody put the cabash on it, claiming it didn't work very well. |
#8
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groundcover for rose bed?
"Cass" requested from Scopata Would you report on your results with Messenger? Who did you order from, the manufacturer? I recall being impressed by this substance, but somebody put the cabash on it, claiming it didn't work very well. I can tell you that all the university's studies have shown very little effect on powdery mildew for instance. If you really want to make the fungicide stay and do its job mix it with Indicate 5 (now apparently called or to be called Phase 5) and you will see the difference when using Banner Maxx with it. Maybe they have improved it since 2001 when most of those studies were conducted but I have not found anything newer since about it. Allegra |
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