I would suggest repeat-flowering irises that have bloomed for me in December, February, October and other odd times. There are on-line iris vendors you can consult. Trailing geraniums (which are really pelargoniums) especially in white and lavender pink, bloom a lot for me and are easy to care for. The bed looks a little odd by itself. I would curve it and make it part of the planting behind it. Plants always need more room than you think they will and that will eliminate one grass border and the whole area will look more organic and harmonious.

Thank you Ingrid. I was considering irises but my fear was that they would get to big for the area. Here is a better look of the flower bed... sorry about the palm tree right smack in the middle of the picture.. hehe but i will check the nursery for trailing geraniums. I've seen some pictures of your garden from other threads and I do like the organic and natural look you have.

I'd plant more DAs in that garden, plant 4 DAs on each side of the tree. What kind of tree is that? Apple?? Plant a small rambler/ climber climb up the little tree.......

Its a kwanzan cherry tree. Thanks for your input.. I kinda want an arrangement of different plantings since the outer beds are full of roses.

Is the Kwanzan not going to grow to big for that spot and cover up the roses so they can't get sun? They get pretty big here. I love to plant garden phlox (not the low growing, spring blooming) and lilies with my roses. I also add some annuals for added punch when the others are in-between blooms.

Prettypetals...Its a dwarf Kwanzan, I plan on putting it in a cement container bit larger than the one its in to keep it a small tree. Also the sun here in inland socal is pretty intense during the summer the tree will add some shade to keep the roses from frying under the mid day sun. Last year all my roses fried to a crisp :( Thanks for your input! I will have to google garden phlox.

Hoovb....Thanks I will have to keep an eye out at the nursery to see when they get them in.

Thanks all for your help.

I think 'International Herald Tribune' would look nice at the feet of 'Queen of Sweden'. And I second the recommendation of Geraniums -- there are so many out there, and they make great companions to roses. Joy Creek Nursery has quite a selection of Geraniums. For foliage color, look into Heuchera and Heucherella cultivars. Oh, and Lady's Mantle looks good with almost anything.

:-)

~Christopher

Nepeta 'Walker's Low' is another perennial I use in front of roses, for the misty blue effect. Melodye

Looking at it from another angle I would still consider incorporating it into the background plantings so you don't have that strip of intervening grass and rounding off the corners to more of an oval shape. Plants grow large so quickly and we always underestimate how much room they'll need. The irises are very easily separated into smaller clumps that you can plant elsewhere in the garden. They take so little care and the reblooming ones can surprise you at any time, although since you're also in inland CA they can take just as much water as the roses. I'm glad you like my garden, although at the moment I'm calling it "Mildew Central". I hope you'll show us the results later; it's always fun to see how a project has turned out.

I will be heading out to the nursery this weekend to hopefully pick up some of the suggestions... I know for sure they will have irises, but I dont think I've seen Nepeta 'Walker's Low' there.

Thanks Christopher... Im not familiar with Herald Tribune I will have to google hehe..

Ozmelodye... thanks.. I will be looking for walker's low this weekend

Ingrid.. I've noticed some mildew on my icebergs as well.. how are you treating the mildew?