One of my most stunning combos is Spirea 'Ogon' in front of P. 'Coppertina', but any ninebark would work. I actually have three of them in a semicircle. Nearby and partially in front of the spireas is a fairly large planting of lambs ears--the non blooming kind.

I would think that anything in rose/purple/blue tones would simply be invisible against the ninebark. However, it you separate those tones from the ninebark by something that sets off both, you might have a stunning combo.

I also have a Coppertina ninebark, and I also have several perennials around it. From one side you see salvia 'Black and Blue', which gets tall and blooms for a long time with gorgeous blue flowers with black calyxes.

Then there is a tall, soft yellow daylily, probably 'Tetrina's Daughter', which blooms for 6 weeks:

I have two fleeting combinations in spring, when the foliage has the best copper tints. The first one is the safe option: Icelandic poppies.

The other one more risky: orange hawk weed. I let it bloom, and once most of the flowers are done, I dig out all plants with a dandelion weeder, leaving only one or two in place. That is enough to have a nice crop of flowers for next year, for they will start creeping around. I have done this for at least 15 years now, without them ever making a nuisance of themselves, but others will warn you never to try this...

A chartreuse juniper?

==>>> many yellow conifers... may or may not.. color up properly ... depending on the amount of shade ... meaning.. they are yellow in full sun.. and duller per more shade ...

you would simply have to see how it works in your micro climate ...

a pic would sure get more ideas from me ...

ken

Silver, gray or white-variegated plants go well with purple ones.

This picture was taken in early July - from left to right lespedeza 'Gibralter, persicaria polymorpha, ninebark 'Summer Wine', geranium 'Brookside', rudbeckia 'Herbstone' and eupatorium 'Gateway'. Well can't seem to be able to load the photo.

I also like Baptista Australis. It has attractive pea like foliage that has slight silvery blue tinge that would contrast nicely with the ninebark, and has purple flowers. It can get pretty big, so it wouldn't be overwhelmed, if that is one of your concerns. It might overwelm a small ninebark.

Sea Holly would be attractive, but I'd be worried about it being invasive. Also not as big.

Come to think of it, one of the Blue Hollies would look interesting with it. Great for Winter Interest. Or a variegated holly.

Thanks,all ideas are great. I am a cold zone and the property is sandy/gravel. I found a fall photo that shows the placement of the ninebark.(dry area) Hydrangea Bobo great idea!

Here is the photo I was trying to load showing ninebark 'Summer Wine' with lepedeza, persicaria polymorpha, geranium 'Brookside, rudbeckia Herbstone, & Eupatorium 'Gateway' (too early for flowers on Herbstone or Gateway). Photo was taken in my zone 5a garden in early July.

Very nice, Felizar. Great border.

Something with contrasting foliage. Here are my ninebarks "Center Glow" with companion plants:

I saw gorgeous pictures of ninebarks with echinacea, russian sage and verbena bonariensis a while back.

Lady in Red underplanted with Gypsy Queen hyacinth, heucheras, uncinia rubra, libertia peregrinans and carex testacea all keep the same warm tones, spiked up with orange geums and acid lime euphorbias and bupleurum fruticosum.

Russian sage for sure