How about some evergreens and a bush called Diablo Ninebark?

Maria, a classic combination with roses is lavender. There are so many types of lavender you can choose the one(s) you prefer. Also catmints, Russian sage, rosemary, lamb's ears, lady's mantle, santolina (grey leaved and green), daylilies, purple coneflowers, sedums and other small succulents, just to name a few. This year I'm experimenting with sowing nigella beneath one of my old tea roses (Monsieur Tillier). I'm also underplanting it with lemon thyme. I have hot pink kalanchoe growing on the side. The ensemble is backed by a vitex which in turn has a background of blue ceanothus. There are really many choices to grow with roses.

Hope this helps
Eduarda

Yes, Peonies do fine with roses. Is there any requirements for the plants you plan to put with the roses? I mean, do they need to be drought tolerant or of a certain color? Do you want just a few kinds of plants in the area or a whole buch of different things?

If the area is droughty I would go with a purple Salvia, which would look nice with the pink and yellow roses. Sedums, Daylily, Euphorbia, and Ornametal Grasses would also work good.
If the area isn't too dry I would go hog wild and plant foxglove, Delphiniums, Campanula, Iris, Anemone, etc.

There are many more options too, but I think it would be best to find out if the area is droughty or not first.
CMK

Something evergreen would probably be a good idea.

You know, I think I just saw some kinds of nine bark when I was walking with my daughter last week -- very nice, but it might be too tall for what I'm thinking. I was thinking smaller/shorter plants around the roses, and the only requirement I can think of is that it isn't invasive/competitive with the roses.

It doesn't have to be drought-tolerant -- I have to keep the roses watered after all 8-).
I am WS Lady Lavender -- if that germinates I could put it there too. I like the idea of some kind of thyme or some other herb, and I could put coneflowers since the ones I have need dividing anyway.

Keep the suggestions coming! Thanks!

I planted cheddar pinks at one end, minature daylilies on the front edge and Lilies among my pink roses. For earliest spring before the roses bloom there are hyacinths and daffodils behind the daylilies.

Nell

Also, Cabbages, Parsley, & Bibb Lettuce look terrific grown under and in front of roses!
Ruffly, Cascade Petunias are lovely, too. Lavender & Rosemary grown nearby help deter bugs and add their fragrance to the mix. Cosmos...yes.
Anything that likes the same environment.

~Annie

I love having lavender beside the roses.

However, we're in our 4th day of rain and lavender likes to dry out. I will probably lose a few more plants, even though they are planted high and dry. The foliage is staying too wet.

Cameron {{gwi:643104}}From Defining Your Home Garden

the peonies would go great with the roses. Not only would the flowers correspond, but both like full sun, rich soil, and good drinks. I've even seen a magazine photo of a double peony blooming under a big antique rose bush in front of an old fence. Quite charming! I have two Mammoth Rose peonies planted with my old roses.

Hope this helps

Cameron,
Your Lavender and Pinks in front of your Knockouts are glorious!
What is the Clematis on the fence?
Slobber, slobber....just beautiful!
You could send some of that rain my way!!! We are high and dry! I am mighty tired of dragging that 100 feet of garden hose. I am only blessed by having my own well water.

If drainage is a problem, build up the soil where you plant your lavender plants with a lot of sand, rocks and gravel. Then you can water your other plants all you want (or all that rainfall) and the lavender will be happy too.

~Annie

I agree with peonies with the roses - the rose garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden has a ton of peonies, too, and they look gorgeous together.

I like lavender with roses - and you can keep them up for winter interest.

I keep thinking I want lilies when I do my rose & peony bed. Maybe dianthus, geraniums (not sure if they would be happy in full sun, though), nepeta.

I added a pink Gerbera daisy and a lily of unknown color that was in the pot with the Gerbera to the pink rose bed this morning.

Sweet William dianthus is starting to bloom here and it goes with everything.

Nell

Are you aware the rugosa Therese Bugnet spreads by underground roots and will be a border all by itself soon. I have it and love it. For me it just blooms once and that is it. It does smell wonderful. I think I should just cut mine all down and let it start over but it is so thorny.....

I love the ideas!

OMG Cameron, that pic is WOW! Is that your garden? I thought it was a painting at first glance!

gldnol, I did not know that. Not to worry, every spring my hubby goes kind of hedge trimmer crazy and starts lopping off shrub branches left & right. I'm like "Nooo -- not yet ... too late". LOL.

I once saw pink roses underplanted with a groundcover of tall, old-fashioned pink Heuchera --- I thought it was gorgeous, even though I don't like pink!

Yes, that's my cottage garden. It is undergoing some redesign that I started last fall. A few of the lavender fell victim to too much rain and will need replacing this year. They lasted 4 years.

The clematis is the standard purple Jackmanii. I have two on the rose fence and I just came inside from the garden -- they are already climbing.

Cameron