Your picture is broken.

I've seen rose bushes trained to grow thin and tall. Would that be an option?

For something pretty and with a punch of color, I'd consider a Rose of Sharon for each side. You'll get the height and color later in the year, There are plenty of mid size plants you can intersperse for color along with your low growing plants.

It would be easier to make suggestions if I could see a picture or get a better sense of the size, but Montauk daisies, reblooming iris, cone flowers, balloon flowers, peonies (for spring color) and day lilies are some suggestions. I also love sage and astilbe. (Yes, I know it's supposed to be a shade plant, but mine are in full sun and doing splendidly -- go figure).

And I love roses. Not to beat a dead horse, as I've mentioned this on a few other threads, but a couple of Knock Out roses next to the Roses of Sharon would give you the variety in height you seek and provide low maintenance color from May through November. We have a white with burgundy Rose of Sharon near a white pillar next to our front door and it's striking.

I'll try to post a picture tomorrow in my Snapfish album. It might be just the effect you're looking for.

You can see the album here: http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5347523013/a=84589877_84589877/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Cathy (MA)