Suggestions for under planting roses please?

[CiderwithBuda]

We have a fairly big raised bed along the side of the house under a veranda and I was thinking of putting in roses - either white only or a mix of white and pale pink. We think it will take 6 or 7 actual roses bushes.

DH was thinking bigger roses towards the back with smaller ones a bit in front and between if you get what I mean.

Also looking for suggestions of what to plant toward the front of the bed. Thinking some lavender.

I would like to keep the colours to white, pink and purple.

There is also a smaller bed also raised to the right of the bigger bed and I am thinking of hydrangeas in that one in similar colours.

I love alchemilla mollis with roses as this also looks good in vases inside with the roses. All lime green and frothy but it does self seed but I like the wild look this can give to a garden.

Thanks bilbo dog. That might look nice with lavender as well.

Is it a sunny spot? How about old-fashioned pinks eg Mrs Sinkins for extra scent. Or purple sage - will set off the colours of the roses and will be a bit of winter interest when the rose bushes are just twigs. Prune hard each Spring to keep compact.

Roses and lavender don't mix because lavender needs very well drained poor gritty soil and roses like being fed and watered.

Claire Austin has some lovely suggestions

www.claireaustin-hardyplants.co.uk/products/rose-companions

What about alliums or wild garlic, I think they might help keep bugs off the roses too.

As Margery Fish used to say, when in doubt plant a hardy geranium.

Nepeta (catmint) is nice under roses.