Autumn workshop · article 8
Spacing between roses and companion plants
A miniature rose, a broad shrub rose and a climber have different mature volumes; lavender, geraniums and barberry compete for roots in different ways.
Short answerPlan spacing from centre to centre using half the mature width of each plant, then add a margin for air flow and for care. The wetter the site, the denser the foliage and the stronger the neighbour's roots, the more important that margin becomes.
Four checks for the planting design
- Mature size. Go by the description of the specific variety, not the young plant on the day you buy it.
- Access by hand. Leave a path for watering, feeding, tying in and checking the lower foliage.
- Air movement. Canopies can look close together, but they should not form a permanently damp mass.
- How the neighbour behaves. Give creeping, self-seeding and large plants more controlled space.
The trade-off of close planting
A quick 'finished' look in the first year means more moving, more pruning and a greater risk of disease later on. It is safer to fill any gap temporarily with annuals or mulch.