Question
Which plants get along well with tea roses and would be good for zone 7? I live in Lubbock, TX, so I need some plants that are drought and heat resistant. I was thinking of black eyed susans to climb my poles...


Answer
Hi Christa-

Well - it comes down to personal preference.  The perennials I like are: purple trailing lantana - it never gets too high (like the yellow or orange/red lantana that can swallow up roses).  Another favorite is mexican petunias or mexican heather.  Vinca, bronze leaf begonias and salvia are good annuals that are heat/drought resistant too.  Black Eyed Susan vine is good as long as it doesn't get too close to the roses.  If it climbs the roses it will decrease air circulation and increase the chance of a fungal disease or maybe cause crowding that will lessen the blooms.  For this reason I don't like climbers on my roses (I have a horrible time getting rid of morning glories that won't leave my roses alone!).  I have to pull them off my roses like weeds.  Gets to be time consuming!

Have fun in the sun-

Carlene