For a formal look put the arch in the center with a seat if possible and 4 paths to it cutting the 20x20 square into quadrants. You have to have some kind of paths in a plot that big so you can get to the roses to take care of them.

What a beautiful arch.

I think I'd use the arch for an entrance, probably facing the house, and maybe put a circular bed round a birdbath or statue in the centre, with low roses round it. I'd have 4 paths running off it, with a focal point at the end of the other three paths. Box hedges edging the beds would add to the formal feel.

I'm in a completely different zone, so can't suggest any roses.

I think it's going to look lovely, whatever you do.

Trish

It sounds as though you already have a pretty good framework in mind and the suggestions above sound very nice. I suppose the four paths would have to be fairly narrow so that you don't lose too much space in a relativelly small plot of land.

My garden is very different, a rather wild and unstructured country garden, but I'll add some pictures anyway in case something in it strikes a chord with you. I hope you'll keep us updated and show us the garden bed as it comes along and then the final product.

A couple of things to consider.

Assuming the lilacs are common lilac, syringa vulgaris, there should be some sort of space between the lilacs and the rose garden. Otherwise, the lilacs will spread into the nice soil of the rose garden. A narrow walk, or mowing strip will do.

Since it isn't a symmetrical space, I'd avoid a symmetrical design, unless it is symmetrical along a diagonal.

The beds should be deep. At least 6 ft, 8 would be better.

My backyard garden is 2 roughly 25 x 25 ft squares hollowed out. This picture was taken from the inside of one square, with the other square in the background. The black arch is to the left.

My vote is for something that comes close to what Ingrid has. A path from the entrance to the center is all I would have. If you need to get up close and personal with one of the bushes then wind your way through the others. Mulch all over looks great. You could have very narrow winding grass covered paths. One trip with the lawn mower keeps the paths in shape.

...I have an area that's about 35' by 15' but most of the roses are in the 20 x 15 section of that.... I have found that growing them upright against obelisks saves on space as I cannot afford to have anything too wide growing.... so that would be my advice, to utilise the vertical possibilities rather than the width... although it's surprising what you can cram in, even in that small area....

Marlorena makes a very good point about going vertical, which also adds more drama. Since you have that beautiful arch that should be a very good focal point. Although it's not easy to see, I followed toolbelt's suggestions and have narrow paths accessible from each side and can pretty well reach all the roses.

I've taken out the large rose in the back, Mutabilis, because it was causing some problems. This spring I planted Blush Noisette, Duchesse de Brabant and Aloha in its place, a bit of which you can see in the picture below. I had to take out a lot of the roses and replant with others because of canker and other issues. The picture below is what it looks like now, with many roses being in their infancy and not creating much of a show.

bellegallica, your garden picture is gorgeous. I love that natural, plentiful look and the lovely purplish rose.

I opt for the two paths intersecting in the middle--not only so more roses can be viewed/admired more closely but because it is so much easier to care for plants when you can conveniently reach them from the paths.

Kate

....I do like your use of gravel, I have that here too as grass is impractical, although not as attractively designed as yours - I'm rather makeshift - the brick edging is good too, I'd like that...

I'd say it's much better than merely an ''attempt'' at gardening.... would you like to come over and do mine..?

That looks exactly like what the poster seems to be looking for. The combination of formality and structure with soft, informal plantings is beautiful and seems very English. Very well done! Only problem is that my uninspiring and now rather depressing "garden" is pictured above yours. Sigh.

Nonsense, Ingrid. Perhaps it's because you live nearest me, or because you and I have very similar rose type/color taste, but I enjoy your garden tremendously. It's one of my faves!!!

Yeah, I like to walk on the slightly wilder side too. I love seeing photos of your garden, Ingrid, because what you have done complements your house and the natural setting.

You're the best ladies, thanks for the encouragement. The gloomy weather didn't help either, but basically I'm just holding on until spring, telling myself that then everything will be "more better".

@Ingrid, I have to tell you that your garden has inspired me so much! To this day I am still searching for sea lavender...

Pictures can be misleading. Here is what my yard really look like:

I'm looking for sea lavender too, thanks to Ingrid. Your 9b zone, sun-sky- sand sounds perfect for sea lavender. Mine, not so much.

Seeds for sea lavender, Limonium perezii, are available from Swallowtail Garden Seeds, if you want to try to grow it from seed. Diane

There is a pink form, Limonium peregrinum and also fairy statice, Limonium platyphyllum, which has really tiny lavender or white flowers. These can also be grown from seed, available on line I believe, and are as tough as perezii.

Thank you, Diane! I think Swallowtail looks like a great company. I appreciate this tip very much.

sun_sky_sand, I like your garden even better in the big pictures. You've done a great job. I hope you and Sheila will soon have your own sea lavender. I'd really like to have the varieties Melody mentions. I had the fairy statice at one time and it really lighted up the garden.

I'm not sure if sea lavendar will self seed in other climates, but mine spread by themselves, showing up in new places. I just have the "common" kind, bought as a sixpack of small plants. They are however, pink, white, light, and dark purple.

My yard is a bout this size, but has a huge shed at one corner, a giant tree at the other and a larger patio cover on the other side. So not a lot of space left. And it is north facing. Yes you can grow roses and they will be beautiful! The advice you got so far to "go vertical" is very good. Also keep in mind standard roses in pots to maximize your space. I know many in colder climates are put off by them, but if you can find a spot for them over the winter, you will be very happy you went to the trouble.

I have two rose borders and meter square boxes. They are very high as the soil was quite poor. Since they are high you can make the pathways a bit narrower. As you are in a colder climate if you go this route you may have to do some additional winter protection because the roots are less insulated.

A little foresight in planning out what you buy to fill the space and some control when the sales are going on will go a long way! Look into the growing sizes and make sure you get ones that fit what you have. I have also found that limiting the color palette in a small space makes things a bit more harmonious. But thats just me. If you love all the colors, go for it! The most important part is to have fun and make yourself happy.

I would like to know more about the OP's plan to grow a Stephen Drouhin climber on each side of the arch. Since these can be monstrous, should she train all of the canes from each one around the two sides of the arch? Is it possible that one could be trained to grow completely over it and down the other side? I am interested because i have just planted one on the side of an arch and am wondering if I should train some of its canes to climb on something else, like an adjacent stone wall...

Thank you all for the comments and ideas...and the pictures :)

Sun_sky_sand...you have a wonderful garden! The round center bed and path is a great inspiration for our garden. Mom even has the white bench for seating. Do you have any more information on type of pavers and gravel path? Anything under the gravel? Thank you!

Glad to share! I used plastic weed barrier (the one with holes) under the pebbles. I know that sometimes weed will still grow through the barrier but it does help lessen the weed a lot. I have to fold the weed barrier to curve it around the center bed. If I have to do it again, I would secure the folds with with something as the pebbles will eventually go inside the folds. Everything I use includng the pebbles is from Lowes. The pebbles come in 3 sizes and I use the smallest one because I think I will need more bags with the larger ones. Sorry, I dont remember the exact name of the company. I think I spent around one hundred dollars for the weed barrier and the pebbles. I'll post a picture of the bag if I happen to go to Lowes again.

I agree with limiting color palette! I decide to stick with various shades of pink, purple/blue and white, but I do have GT, CPM, BB, Valencia, Abe andTG somewhere in the yard.

I use similar pebbles in my paths. I do not use a weed barrier because the earth underneath is mainly sand. I have not had a big problem with weeds at all-- and the pebbles make it easy to pull them if some grow there. Sometimes it is hard to get weed barrier completely covered and it may stick up.

I started my paths with the smallest rocks (they were the least expensive too), but I found they easily got stuck in shoes and kicked around. So I mixed some of the larger sizes in, and it looks really nice. The only problem is the leaves. I do hope they break down over winter, because it is quite difficult to clear them out of the paths.

...I have weed suppressing membrane under mine, it's rather essential here due to some pernicious weeds that I have.... also, whilst this wouldn't be my first choice, I have pressure treated wood edging to hold it all in place...I would prefer bricks but it's simple for me to lay, and the previous owner started off with it, so I've continued the theme....

...I use the larger type gravel - I think it's 25mm.. - and sometimes mix the colour ranges, as I sometimes need to top it up.... I also like to plant within it, an odd Geranium or two....

Marlorena- That's a beautiful garden! Thanks for sharing :)

Thank you all for the tips on the gravel. My mom would love the gravel, I just have to see if it will work in our space. We have a lot of weeds and it's very close to the horse pasture....so weeds blow in, too.