What low growing border plant would you recommend for a formal rose garden? Read the add. details first.?

Question

Okay, horticulturists and master gardener extraordinaires, I oversee management of a (100 plant) rose garden that is in the shape of an octagon. The center of the octagon has a pool with a fountain, but this is irrelevant. The beds outline the octagon and measure approx. 4' wide by 20+ feet long as they bend themselves around the perimeter of the shape. The garden has a very formal feel to it and it showcases an analogous color scheme of purples, reds, (and gray) shrub, floribunda, grandiflora, and rugosa roses with a center bed (around the fountain) planted with Lavandin, Sedum spp., annuals, etc. to compliment the roses. Okay, so can you picture it yet? Anyway.. I'm looking for a plant that can tolerate zone 5-6, somewhat dry conditions, and makes a very neat and tidy border along the bed lines. So far I've thought the following may work: Teucreum spp., Thymus vulgaris 'Rose Scented' (how Disney World), and Santolina spp., etc.Any amazing ideas? Thanks for your help in advance

Side Note: I'm very well versed with plants, so I'm looking for answers from people who've tried specific plants in this type of setting or can recommend something that was esthetically effective in a similar garden. Since there is no wrong answer, please do not vote answers down. If you do, I will not pick a "best" answer. Thanks for your cooperation and please stop this silly feuding over who's a master gardener and who isn't.

I'm sorry. I'm leaning towards herbaceous plant material and the plants would have to make continuous, tight, linear lines. The roses take up a majority of the bed space so it would be very difficult to put Juniper spp. in such a space. Think small! :)

Oh and all the beds have a sandstone walkway that is adjacent to them... Sorry no picture, I'll see what I can do.

Pictures: ..hopefully the links work..

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj254/pyroreb/rose2-1.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj254/pyroreb/rose3.jpg

I'm not convinced that Lavandula spp. would work well in the garden because of vascular wilt issues that are common in the garden during periods of heavy rain and high humidity. I'm trying to think of something highly unusual or if not unusual, extremely practical.

All good ideas although I'm afraid the of the Alyssum melting out by late July or early August although I do like the idea of intermixing it. PS: I failed to note - this before someone else brings it up, I'm not going to use a miniature Buxus like Buxus sinica var. insularis 'Tide Hill.' It doesn't like my garden nor do I like it!

Answer 1

If you are willing to keep pruning, I'd consider Inkberry. It is a small leaved holly, plays off the roses' leaf shape.
In perennials, Dianthus (perhaps alwoodii). Low growing, mat forming, does its scented blooming before any of the roses.
If you want unusual, how about Sagina subulata? It worked very well for me in between flagstones.

Answer 2

Low Growing Border Plants

Answer 3

I swear there are more reasons that a garden does not grow than there are reasons that it does grow. The only things that I can guess are that you may be fertilizing too much and possibly too much water. Did you put some gravel in the bottom of your bed so that it can drain excessive water out? Stop fertilizing ! One shot of 10-15-10 before or at planting should be enough for the year. After that if you want to spray with a little Miracle Grow once in awhile it is ok. Just thought of it but the way you say everything is yellowing, it is possible that you could use some iron. The safest way is to take a couple of samples and have the soil analyzed by your county extension agent or take it to a garden center. Most of them will do it for you for free.

Answer 4

Hi:
It sounds like you have a beautiful rose garden and have put a lot of work into it. What about solid or variegated Liriope or Mondo grass. This would make an excellent formal border.
Here are some other suggestions:

1. Dwarf Hinoki Cypress maybe mixed in with dwarf Hemlock.

2. Blue Pacific Juniper

3. Blue Star Juniper

I like the idea of a small evergreen bordering a Rsoe Garden. It will give you greenery year around and cut out dead space. The evergreen will also accent your fountain.
I am a landscaper and designer and love the thought of evergreens mingled in with a formal Rose garden.

Good luck to you in finding your answer. I will link you to my site map as this is a page with everything on my website. I will also link you to my gallery of plants section so you can see some different varieties of plant specimens.
Hope this helps some and have a great day!
Kimberly
http://www.landscape-solutions-for-you.com/Site.html

http://www.landscape-solutions-for-you.com/Gallery.html

Answer 5

white sweet alyssum would be a lovely complement to a gorgeous rose bed!!... I'd even help out the roses a bit and alternate the alyssum with Silver Mound artemesia for the silver and for the scent which is not liked by bugs..... but the scent of the alyssum on the breeze would draw admirers from all around the garden!....
congrats on some good lookin', healthy, happy roses!!!.. well done!!

Answer 6

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Answer 7

As I read your question, Germander (Teucrium) and Lavender (Lavandula) came to mind, but you've already mentioned them. I still think either would be a great choice. Maybe candytuft (Iberis) might be another option.

If it doesn't have to be a rigid shape, Liriope might work nicely, or a coral bell (Heuchera, Heucherella). Meadowsage (Salvia) is also a possibility.

Have fun with your project and hopefully a plethora of answers.

Answer 8

Iberis sempervirens - Candytuft would go well with roses
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/76080.html
http://www.justourpictures.com/roses/paradise.html

So would purple or white Alyssum, or Dusty Miller. These are low-growing for borders in front of larger plants:. The delicate foliage texture of 'Silver Dust' Dusty Miller, with its deep indentations along the edges, contrasts strikingly with adjacent plants whose leaves have smoother edges.
http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Horticulture/pls220/annuals/dustymiller3.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/84456379@N00/216390928/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisser/336934103/
http://www.fernlea.com/annual/variety/dusty.htm
http://landscaping.about.com/library/bl_dusty_miller.htm

I think blue Forget-Me-Nots or Ageratum bordering your purple flowers & pink roses would be nice.
Here's some beautiful blue borders:
Forget-Me-Nots
http://www.flickr.com/photos/justinlane/494864525/
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=forget+me+nots+&y=Search&ei=UTF-8&js=1&ni=20&fr=ush-ans&b=361
Ageratum:
http://www.johnshorblandscaping.com/portfolio/seasonal/geranium-ageratum2_72.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxtrail/205802679/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saramarie/190525077/

Blue Scilla would be nice for spring blooms. They can be planted with another summer-flowering plant like Forget-me-Nots, so your border blooms longer.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tim-waters/410138912/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/galfred/444086078/

I really love your idea of using the scented Thyme. That may be the best idea after all :)

The Thyme can also be planted with some spring-time bulbs like Muscari (Grape Hyacinths), or blue, pink or white Scilla in it too... for a longer blooming season.

P.S. the white Sweet Alyssum Lobularia maritima (Brassicaceae) is drought tolerant and heat resistant ...so this one shouldn't fissle out from the July-August heat:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/wildseed/37/37.7.html
But you're right about some types of Alyssum because those "with darker-colored flowers do better in cooler temperatures" & some (like pink Rosie O'Day)need to be reseeded (in the summer)for continuous (fall) bloom.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobularia_maritima
http://www.burpee.com/product/annual+flowers/alyssum/alyssum+rosie+o'day+-+1+pkt.+(100+seeds).do

A beautful low-maintenance combo would be Dusty Miller paired with blue Ageraturm.
Blue Ageratum blooms to the end of October & should be longer lasting than a darker-colored Alyssum.

Good Luck! Hope this is helpful.

Answer 9

a low growing juniper may work well here. ( horzentalis ) I know I spelled this wrong but I can't find my notes.

Answer 10

well lets see, there's boxwood,rosemary,i have a border of berberis,all of which need pruning. or just go though your fav.garden mag. for ideas.