Under- planting the Rose beds in our garden will have two benefits:
First, it will provide ground cover and reduce the laborious task of perpetual weeding.
Next, it will add colour to our garden at those times of the year when our roses are not in bloom, and it will also invite more pollinating insects into our garden over a longer period.
Some beds have already been under-planted with Lavenders, but some other beds are not suitable for Lavenders either because they are more shaded and therefore do not receive sufficient direct sunlight, or the soil conditions in them are not welcoming to them. A number of different plants will be put into these beds therefore including:
Geraniums (Crane’s Bill).
… and Nepeta (Catmint)
The next phase of under-planting will start in September
But to complete the whole process will most likely take a year or two given that planting can only be carried out at certain times of the year! As The Friends work their way round all of the beds, any Rose bushes that seem to be ailing will be replaced with new. That is a forever process but so necessary to keep our Rose Garden always looking at its very best.
