Underplanting in a rose bed

[Jess]

I have spent months revamping, reshaping, rejuvenating, replanting (and any other 're' you can think of) a large rosebed. Just wondered what you have in the way of suggestions for underplanting. Obviously it is in full sun but will get some shade from the roses. It gets hit by quite a strong Northerly wind so nothing too tender and they have a bit of a rabbit problem so rabbit resistant please......ok fire away!

[Newt]

Wow, Jess, you don't ask for much! Actually it's not that difficult to come up with plants that rabbits tend not to eat. This UK site lists several as well as the types of plants they tend to avoid. From their list I think these would look nice and do well.

[url=https://www.complete-gardens.co.uk/online/online-gardening-plant-solutions-category.php?cat=15]Complete-Gardens.co.uk[/url]

https://hintsandthings.co.uk/garden/rabbitproofplants.htm

Colchicum autumnale aka autumn crocus
https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/10568.shtml

Alchemilla mollis aka Lady's Mantle
https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/25.shtml

Campanula lactiflora aka milky bellflower would work behind the shorter roses.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/4708.shtml

Hardy Geranium aka cranesbill - G. 'Rozanne' is the longest blooming one and can grow to a nice clump that is 3' by 3' (90 cm by 90 cm). I'd suggest a clump forming variety.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plantprofile_geranium.shtml

Clarkia
https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/11159.shtml

Heuchera aka coral bells could look nice but most have very colorful leaves. The solid green variety won't compete with your roses.

[img]https://www.mailorderplants4me.com/images/thumbnail/heuchera_florists_choice.jpg[/img]
https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/8767.shtml

Lavender is popular for underplanting with roses. I'd get one of the shorter varieties.

Creeping thyme, especially wooly thyme. One of the stepables so you can work on your roses.
https://stepables.com/

Type thyme in the search box here.
https://www.stepables.com/store/scripts/prodList.asp

There are several varieties of creeping verbena.

Campanula lactiflora aka milky bellflower would work behind the shorter roses.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/4708.shtml

Hardy Geranium aka cranesbill - G. 'Rozanne' is the longest blooming one and can grow to a nice clump that is 3' by 3' (90 cm by 90 cm). I'd suggest a clump forming variety.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plantprofile_geranium.shtml

Clarkia
https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/11159.shtml

Heuchera aka coral bells could look nice but most have very colorful leaves. The solid green variety won't compete with your roses.

That should get you started.
Newt

[Jess]

Wonderful Newt.

Several I didn't know were rabbit resistant. I have planted a lavender border down one side that runs along the path so a nice contrast with that would be good. I like the idea of Linum (didn't know that was rabbit resistant) and or clarkia (didn't know that was either) and have seeds for both that I collected from other gardens I work in. The heucheras would work well on the more shady side as an edging with the other path.
My customer had geraniums and Alchemilla in the rose bed before and she didn't like them. She thought they looked too scruffy so those have been moved to another garden. I hate throwing plants away seems such a waste.

I will save both those links to my favourites for future reference as I always seem to get work in gardens with rabbits!

Thanks again.

[Newt]

Jess, glad you found that helpful. I love Linum aka flax but it just doesn't thrive in my garden. I think it's too wet for it.

Newt

[Kale]

[quote="Newt"]Wow, Jess, you don't ask for much!

That should get you started.
Newt[/quote



*LOL
You are something else....
Kale