Hi Vanessa,

Fascinating questions and ideas. I am not familiar with the root systems of roses, and how well they might compete with cover crops. Do they have a shallow root system like blueberries? I would guess they probably don’t, at least to the same degree. The deeper their root system, the more likely they are to not be bother by companion plants planted immediately around them.

Their is a related discussion forum post on growing cover crops in the tree row in orchards here on KH that you might find interesting.

My guess would be that it will be easiest to manage have mulch closely around the plants, with cover crops between the rows, similar to what happens in many orchards and with berries today. You can mow and blow the cover crops into the row to generate more mulch right beside the plants.