Would you thin out/remove these annuals in my new Roses and Peonies?

Hello!

Last year I planted a fair few bare root roses and peonies. However, this spring a lot of annuals had self seeded and grown including poppies, corn daisies and Nicotiana. They have dominated quite a lot, and I was wondering if I should remove them to give the roses and peonies a better chance to take hold - though it also seems a big shame as they are doing a great job of filling what would otherwise be a bare border. Decisions decisions...

Love some thoughts!

 

Some pictures might help us give advice.

 

Unless your roses are visibly struggling I would leave them be. Annuals are not super hungry and they will be helping to reduce evaporation from the soil.

 

Good idea, some photos

 

Those Roses are being rather dominated by the annuals, so as nice as they are, I probably would remove some of them.

 

Good air flow around plants reduces humidity and the likelihood of pests and diseases becoming a problem, like blackspot in the case of roses. I’d clear the area around the base of each plant.

 

I think as the annuals are taller than the roses, clearing a few would help. As the roses bulk out and grow upwards, some annuals round them in future yrs shouldn't be a problem.

 

Thanks all. Had a bit of a clear out. Looking barer, but the roses do have a bit more breathing space.

 

I bared this in mind too, as I have very dry soil. Tried to strike a balance!

 

Having now seen your photos, clearing some out was the best thing to do as your roses are still quite little.