What to plant with...?

[StDogolphin]

I have a small boarder with an orange rose at one corner and I have planted Crocosmia Lucifer and Bishop Llandaff along the back. What could I put in front that isnt red?

How much space have you got in front?

Crocosmia and dahlias are later season, so what about something that has a bit more interest all-year round (or early on). And how about going really bold with your colourscheme - black and orange!!

For contrast with the orange you can get a glossy black hebe 'black beauty' - it's evergreen and will look fabulous all year. A really bright coloured grass might contrast with it quite nicely - pheasant tail grass has a lovely orange colour and is evergreen, and will look great all year. Ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens is a low growing, very black grass which might give you another texture.

I have about a foot and a half to fill, its a small boarder next to a bench.

Ooo I hadn't thought of black! Sounds a bit sophisticated. I did wonder about something lime green?

I also hadn't thought about when they bloom as it was an impulse buy. I didn't think it through!

Sometimes that's the best way - put things in that you like, in colours that you like (and your orange/red is coherent) and then fill in with other plants to give you year-round interest. It may not be how posh garden designers work (I imagine they have to be so very much more organised) but it's a good way to fill your space with things you love.

A bit of Lady's Mantle and a few dark chocolate flowers that I have forgotten the name of now might be nice. Lady's Mantle does spread though.

Nicotiniana lime green or even nicotiniana sylvestris
pennesetum orientalis or a miscanthus
ammi visnaga or an achillea
liliies eg regale
peacock gladioli
crambe cordiflora; it is a see through plant

Heucheras and some of the lower grasses make lovely front of border plants.

Thanks everyone, going to mull it over!