Ive planted English lavender around roses for years. It works beautifully in my zone. The lavender covers up the knobby knees of the roses and has no problem with the water and fertile soil. I know it is indiginous to the sandy dry hills of Provance, but it seems to adapt well. I love its airy look with the more substantial bloom of the rose.

Hi lainey2, how close are your roses and lavenders? I have some lavenders planted next to Roses too but they are like 2 ft apart. But for these two, I have to plant them like 10-12" apart. I am a bit worried.

That seems a bit close. You want to have some room to able to do maintenance without stepping on them. You could give it a try, if it grows to close then you can always move it.

make sure you go for one of the smaller lavenders too. L.angustifolia (English lavender) 'Hidcoate' is a compact grower with deep blue flowers. Sawyers or Vera are airier and there are, of course, many tender varieties. Not sure where you are, Toffee, but winter wet in heavy soil means death to lavenders but, under a standard rose, you should be able to plant close enough to leave no visible soil.

I've got Munstead Lavender planted right up under Prospero. The dwarf lavender hides Prospero's bare knees, and the colors work.
We don't cut Prospero back, but will cut the lavender back in late winter.

Jeri

'Provence' lavender here was a flattish round bun shape, really attractive. I think mine was about 3' wide, so 12" from the base might be a little close.

I'd put a couple of drippers inside the roses' drip line and leave the lavenders unirrigated.

Toffee1, I planted my lavender a couple of feet away from the roses at the same time a planted the roses following directions carefully so there would be plenty of room. They are still too close. Maybe it would be better to let the roses become established and then add lavender. Of couse the crowded look gives an English garden feel.

PROVENCE Lavandin can be a monster given the optimum soil and climate: i.e. well drained poor soil and a Mediterranean climate. Here in zone 6b Maryland it is a beautiful compact cultivar that tolerates my heavy clay soil. In coastal Virginia, Zone 7b, where my mother lives, Provence lavandin matures to 3 feet high and just as wide. Mom has sandy soil and the hybrid lavandin goes crazy in it. Mustead grows into a dense, frumpy, unattractive clump. Your best bet is HIDCOTE BLUE English lavender. It stays upright and maxes out at 1-1.5 feet tall. Gorgeous navy blue flowers and divine fragrance.