Plants That Look Like Roses

If you love the look of roses but want something a bit different for your garden, you’re in luck. Many plants that look like roses offer the same lush, layered beauty with sometimes easier care. This guide will show you some stunningly similar floral beauties that can give you that classic rose appeal.

These rose doppelgangers come from all over the world. They can fill your borders with color and form without the fuss of traditional roses. Let’s look at some of the best options you can grow.

Garden Favorites with a Rose-like Bloom

These plants are popular for good reason. They often thrive in conditions where roses might struggle. You’ll find they bring a reliable show to your space.

Peonies: The classic look-alike. Their large, fragrant, multi-petaled blooms are incredibly lush. Herbaceous peonies die back in winter, while tree peonies have a woody structure.
Ranunculus: Known for their tightly packed, paper-thin petals. They create a perfect, rose-like bloom on long stems, ideal for cutting. They grow from corms and prefer cool springs.
Double Tulips: Some varieties, like ‘Angelique’ or ‘Double Price’, are bursting with petals. They mimic a rose’s form beautifully in early to mid-spring.
Double Camellias: These evergreen shrubs produce formal, symmetrical flowers. The japonica varieties often look just like a perfect hybrid tea rose.

Surprising Look-Alikes from the Herbaceous World

Beyond the usual suspects, some perennials and annuals will make you do a double-take. Their forms are uncannily similar to roses.

Double Impatiens: These shade-loving annuals have fully double flowers that sit atop the foliage like tiny roses. They provide constant color where few other showy plants will.
Begonias (Double varieties): Roseform begonias, especially in the tuberous and fibrous types, are near-perfect matches. They thrive in containers and shaded spots.
Gardenias: While the glossy green leaves are different, the creamy white, double flowers have a beautiful, layered form. Their fragrance is also incredible.

How to Choose the Right Rose Impersonator for Your Garden

Think about what you need. Do you want a perennial that comes back every year, or an annual for pots? Consider your garden’s light and soil.

Check Your Sunlight: Peonies and ranunculus love full sun. Camellias and double impatiens prefer partial to full shade.
Test Your Soil: Most of these plants need well-draining soil. Gardenias love acidic soil, while peonies are not to picky once established.
Know Your Zone: A camellia might not survive a cold winter, but a peony needs that chill to bloom well. Check hardiness before you buy.

Caring for Your Rose-Like Plants

While they look like roses, their care can be different. Here’s a simple breakdown to keep them healthy.

Watering and Feeding Tips

Consistency is key. Most of these plants dislike soggy feet but also don’t like to dry out completely.

Water deeply at the base of the plant, avoiding the leaves. This helps prevent fungal diseases.
A layer of mulch around the base conserves moisture and keeps roots cool.
Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. For heavy bloomers like ranunculus, a little extra feed can boost their show.

Pruning and Deadheading

Regular deadheading encourages more flowers. It tells the plant to put energy into new blooms instead of making seeds.

For peonies, just cut the spent flower stem back to a strong leaf. Do not cut the foliage back until fall.
With annuals like double impatiens, pinch off the old blooms regularly. This keeps the plant bushy and full.
Prune camellias and gardenias just after they finish flowering. This gives them time to set buds for next year.

Designing a Garden Full of Floral Look-Alikes

You can create a stunning display that blooms from spring to fall. The trick is to plan for succession of color.

Spring: Start with double tulips and early peonies. They provide the first wave of rose-like forms.
Late Spring/Early Summer: Ranunculus and main-season peonies take over. Add potted double begonias for patio color.
Summer: This is when double impatiens and gardenias shine. They handle the heat while providing that classic bloom shape.
Fall: Some late camellias (sasanqua) and re-blooming peonies can give you a final flush of flowers.

Mixing these plants with grasses or plants with different textures, like ferns, makes the rose-like blooms stand out even more. It creates a garden that’s full of intrest and depth.

Common Problems and Simple Solutions

Even easy-care plants can have issues. Here’s how to handle common problems with these rose substitutes.

Bud Blast (Flowers not opening): Common in peonies and gardenias. Often caused by late frost, too much shade, or irregular watering. Protect buds from late frosts with cloth and ensure consistent moisture.
Yellowing Leaves: On gardenias, this often means the soil is not acidic enough. You can apply a fertilizer for acid-loving plants to correct this.
Weak Stems: Peonies sometimes need support because their flowers are so heavy. Use a peony ring in early spring to help them stand tall.

Always keep an eye out for pests like aphids, which love new growth on many of these plants. A strong spray of water from the hose is often enough to dislodge them.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

What flowering plant is most similar to a rose?
Peonies are often considered the most similar due to their large, fragrant, multi-petaled blooms. Double camellias are a very close second, especially in form.

Are there any roses that are easier to care for than others?
While this article focuses on other plants, shrub roses and landscape roses are generally more disease-resistant and require less pruning than hybrid teas.

Can I grow ranunculus like roses?
Ranunculus have similar needs for sun and well-drained soil, but they grow from corms planted in fall or early spring. They are typically treated as annuals in many climates, whereas roses are perennial shrubs.

What plant looks like a rose but grows in shade?
Double impatiens and double begonias are excellent choices for shady spots where roses would not bloom well. They provide that full, double-flower look without needing full sun.

How do I get my peonies to bloom more?
Ensure they get at least 6 hours of sun, are not planted to deeply (eyes no more than 2 inches below soil), and are fed lightly in spring. They also need a period of winter chill.

Adding plants that look like roses to your garden opens up a world of possibilities. You can achive that romantic, full-petaled aesthetic in more places and with often simpler maintenance. From the sunny border to the shady corner, there’s a rose-like beauty waiting to thrive in your care. With the right selection and basic care, you can enjoy these stunning floral impressions for seasons to come.