non-edible gardening

[ppfuf]

Now that the herb garden is (mostly) planted, it's time to look at the flower garden. 
In the shady garden, the Foxglove went feral, and now I've got five small foxgloves, they are quite pretty. I've been hoping for several years it would reproduce, I'm not sure what inspired it this year. On the other hand, they are now blocking any sunlight from the boneset daisies and the cute little pink thing GM gave me last February.  The irises are happy and productive. The darwinistic battle between the violets and the woodruff is not yet resolved. 
The roses are blooming in the sunny garden, but I'd like to put something in with them to cover the dirt. It's a bright and hot spot, and does not get much water from the sprinklers. But we do remember to water the roses, so it's possible something would survive. I'm tempted to put tomatoes and peppers out there, even though it's the front yard and I'd be breaking the social contract of suburbia. I tried to cover that ground with strawberries a few years ago, but they did not survive. Suggestions?

Comments

[shutt3rg33k.livejournal.com]

I've seen some very pretty ground cover plants at Home Depot. Not productive, but low to the ground and hardy.

[ldyanna.livejournal.com]

You could plant low cover herbs like oregeno or thyme. They like dry hot and don't look like vegetables.

[kahnegabs.livejournal.com]

There are some really charming peppers that are bright red or bright orange when ripening. The foliage is deep green and very pretty. I think they look great in a front yard! In fact that's how I learned about them. My neighbor had them in her front yard.

Teh Intarwebz saiz:

[learnteach.livejournal.com]

http://www.dianeseeds.com/companion-plants/roses.html

[aastg.livejournal.com]

Lobelia or dianthus work well with roses - and if it's a dryish area with good drainage, the dianthus especially will thrive.

[dame-cordelia.livejournal.com]

Just don't plant stuff within about a foot of the roses. They will compete with your roses for moisture and nourishment.