Gardens are incomplete without shrubs and roses. When anyone thinks of setting up their garden, roses are the first flowers to cross their mind. Well, that’s for good reason. They are attractive like no other flower.
Shrubs are a good way to spruce up your yard as they add beauty and variety. Roses give a pleasant fragrance to your garden. Shrubs are paramount for an appealing structure in your garden.
You can get evergreen shrubs that work throughout the year. Deciduous shrubs produce stunning blooms in the spring and summer. Here are the top 7 shrubs with roses.
1. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii)

Butterfly bush is a fantastic shrub for any garden. It has long, beautiful purple and white flowers. They look and smell amazing.
There’s a lot more than looking pretty. They bring a ton of butterflies to your landscape. Butterfly bushes are easy maintenance; they do best in the full sun with well-drained soil. They are highly recommended for hot and dry conditions.
Garden lovers pair butterfly bushes with roses. This combo levels up the garden with contrasting colors and textures. Roses are compact, and the butterfly bush grows taller.
Moreover, butterfly bushes complement pollinator roses, and this combination is beneficial for the garden’s health. This shrub blossoms from late spring to fall. Your garden will look colorful throughout the season.
2. Sambucus canadensis (Elderberry)

Elderberry shrubs are another excellent addition to your lawn. They can add ornamental and functional value. Sambucus canadensis has dark foliage. It will be a backdrop for the attention-grabbing roses.
The elderberry shrub’s spring clusters of small white flowers bloom. They make the foliage more appealing. After these small white flowers, they produce dark purple or black berries in late summer.
These shrubs complement your roses by bringing eye-catching brightness. Their fast growth can fill in the open spaces at your place. They have a strong ornamental appeal, along with the immense health benefits. Their berries are generally used in jams, syrups, and wines.
3. Rose Bushes

No garden with roses would be complete without a variety of rose bushes. Shrubs with roses are classic. They are available in various colors and shapes. Some of these even have different scents. You can get hybrid teas and climbing roses.
Gardeners know that roses demand full sun and well-drained soil for proper growth. Keep in mind that the rose variety you pick should follow your garden’s theme. One of the best ideas is to use bright red roses with white elderberries. This design will captivate viewers.
4. American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

The American beautyberry shrub is another hot pick for any kind of garden. They pair well with roses. This deciduous shrub caught attention for its purple or violet berries. It gives color from late summer to fall. American beauty berry also blooms in spring with lavender-pink flowers that are great for pollinators.
The bright berries of this shrub captivate the eye against the gentle petals of rose flowers. You can grow American Beautyberry in many ways, which makes it a convenient shrub. Its leaves will fall during the winter, so it will be a focal point in your garden.
5. Evergreen Shrubs

They are the ‘evergreen’ backbone. Where does this title come from? These shrubs hold onto their leaves throughout the cold months. They are mostly used for structure as they rarely shed leaves. Boxwood and rhododendron are immensely popular. They look lovely with rose bushes.
They set a beautiful background for blooms throughout the entire year. Evergreen shrubs add elegance to the beauty of rose shrubs. Their dense foliage is a protective cover. It protects the delicate varieties of roses. These evergreen shrubs are a must to make your yard an attractive place around the house.
6. Deciduous Shrubs

Some people don’t like Deciduous shrubs because they shed their leaves each autumn. But for some, it’s their best part. They love to see seasonal changes in their yard. Shrubs such as hydrangeas and lilacs have gorgeous blooms. They complement roses in spring and summer.
Gardeners prefer lilacs due to their cheerful blooms. Lilac flowers have a pleasing but intense fragrance. They are available in a plethora of shades of white and purple, matching rose petals.
Deciduous shrubs are useful for gardeners as their shape is controlled through pruning. They look beautiful when the leaves turn bright red and orange.
7. Yew Bushes (Taxus spp.)

Yew bushes are another great evergreen option to combine with rose bushes. People identify them with dense and dark green needles. Yews bring everlasting beauty and elegance to any landscape.
Yews are dense evergreen shrubs that bring grace to lawns; however, their berries and foliage are toxic if ingested. They are highly adaptable and thrive well in many soil and climate conditions. Yew bushes are great for gardens that you want to look more formal.
The upright growth can balance the fluid forms of rose bushes. Moreover, yews work well as hedges or low borders. They are used for structure around your rose garden.
How to Trim a Lilac Shrub?
Gardeners trim lilacs to keep them healthy. It is paramount to stimulate their growth. This process is done after the flowering process. This mostly occurs in early summer or late spring. You should not remove the next year’s flower buds.
Make sure to remove the dead, broken, or diseased wood. You must decrease the diameter of the center so light and air can reach the inner branches. It eliminates the risk of fungal diseases.
When is the Best Time to Trim Shrubs?
Different types of shrubs require different trimming schedules. Most shrubs are best pruned in spring, right before the active growth phase. Flowering shrubs, like forsythia, should be trimmed right after they bloom. It avoids cutting off next year’s flowers. Evergreen shrubs and yews do best when pruned in late winter or early spring. It is before the new growth.
Think about the flowering and growth habits of shrubs in your yard before deciding when to prune. Some shrubs have a more aggressive growth pattern. They require more attention, like the rose shrubs. Rose shrubs are pruned very strategically to support their healthy blooming.
Wrap Up!
The beauty of shrubs all year round is impressive. Pairing them with rose shrubs is a brilliant idea for a garden. They add variety to garden structure. Shrubs also bring vibrancy and color to the yard. Butterfly bush, with its bright spikes, is attractive. Try these top 7 shrubs for your garden today.
If you’re a new homeowner or want to set up a healthy landscape, hire TGs Landscaping experts. With years of experience, we have been creating long-lasting and visually appealing lawns. Whether you want a bush planting or a grass overseeding, we can handle it all. Contact us right away for the best landscaping and planting services in Connecticut.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best shrub to pair with roses?
The butterfly bush is frequently used, as it looks beautiful with roses.
2. When should I trim my lilac shrub?
Trim lilacs after they complete blooming in late spring or early summer.
3. Are evergreen shrubs good for gardens with roses?
Yes, evergreen shrubs provide year-round structure. They complement the roses beautifully.
4. Which shrubs provide year-round color with roses?
Evergreen shrubs and beautyberry have a long-lasting structure and seasonal color.

