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12 Tips for Designing Beautiful Rose Beds

By: Lynn Coulter

Michael Marriott, senior rosarian of David Austin Roses in Shropshire, England, shares his top tips for designing rose beds, borders and gardens.

Photo: Image courtesy of David Austin Roses

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Rosarian Michael Marriott

Michael Marriott has been growing roses for over 25 years. Click through the gallery for his top tips on designing your very own rose garden.

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Be One With Your Roses

"Do not be afraid to plant roses close to paths or seats where they may spill over. Their proximity makes it all the better for appreciating their beautiful flowers and delicious fragrances."

Photo: Image courtesy of David Austin Roses

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Three's Company

"If planted closely together (approximately 18" apart), a group of three roses can look exactly like one large shrub. Massing color is more dramatic than featuring three separate plants with space in between."

Photo: Image courtesy of David Austin Roses

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Play With Texture

"A trimmed bush and trimmed lawn complement the full bushy shape of English roses."

The Lion's Garden is located within the beautiful 2-acre rose gardens adjacent to David Austin's Albrighton, England nursery and plant center. Michael Marriott designed the garden "bones" and selected and placed the rose varieties.

Photo: Image courtesy of David Austin Roses

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Use Roses on Arches and Pergolas

"English Rose climbers are perfect for small arches. They are not overly rambunctious, thus are easy to keep under control. A major benefit with English Roses is their wonderful ability to flower from the ground up. Flowers head to toe!"

Photo: Image courtesy of David Austin Roses

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Flower Friends

"Pair roses with blue or purple-hued companion plants, like this David Austin 'Golden Celebration' with blue campanula."

Photo: Image courtesy of David Austin Roses

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Plant Them in Pots

"Roses look superb in pots and are an excellent way of bringing flowers onto patios or deck areas."

A scene from the newly reamped Bowes-Lyon rose garden of the Royal Horticultural Society's garden at Wisley, in the English county of Surrey, south of London. Michael Marriott advised on the planting scheme and selected the rose varieties.

Photo: Image courtesy of David Austin Roses

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Try a Mixed Bed

"English roses mix perfectly with other plants. Their large flowers contrast with the small flowers of the perennials and the rounded habit of their bushes contrasts nicely with the spiky forms."

Photo: Image courtesy of David Austin Roses

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Use Them As Hedges

"Roses make excellent hedges and are more interesting than most non-flowering hedges."

Photo: Image courtesy of David Austin Roses

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Color Block

"Combine roses with perennials in garden beds for a lush effect. Plant clusters of each to create blocks of color."

Photo: Image courtesy of David Austin Roses

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Contrast With Blue

"It’s incredibly effective to contrast any color rose with plants that have blue or purple flowers. 'Lady of Shalott' is magnificent against the vivid blue of salvia."

Photo: Image courtesy of David Austin Roses

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Blend Big and Small Blooms

"Mixing small flowered roses with large flowered varieties helps to highlight their individual beauty."

Photo: Image courtesy of David Austin Roses

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Go With the Flow

"Many English roses have a beautifully rounded habit from top to bottom. Many people think roses should be stiff and upright, but who can deny that this is a very beautiful sight? When petals drift onto the garden path, it's an added treat."

12 Tips for Designing Beautiful Rose Beds

Rosarian Michael Marriott

Be One With Your Roses

Three's Company

Play With Texture

Use Roses on Arches and Pergolas

Flower Friends

Plant Them in Pots

Try a Mixed Bed

Use Them As Hedges

Color Block

Contrast With Blue

Blend Big and Small Blooms

Go With the Flow

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