Underplanting roses

[Runner Bean]

I have an arc with 12 roses about 20" apart. In between the few small plants Sedums, pinks ect. have covered all the soil around the Roses. Can this cause problems for the Roses?

[Paul Narramore]

Well only in so much you won't easily be able to mulch and/or feed the roses very easily. I would allow a minumum of at least 12" radius of bare soil at the bottom of any rose.