You're off to a great start. I love the lattice fence. Do you have a climber for the arbor? A purple or lilac colored Clematis would be lovely with Peach Drift. Perle D'Azur is a beautiful soft lilac and easy to grow or Cl. Jackmanii for a deep purple. You could plant one on each side of the arbor since their footprint is very small. I think I would plant two of the same variety since it seems to me you're looking for symmetry. I think Goldsturm might be too bright with the soft color of Peach Drift unless you have your heart set on it. After all we plant our gardens to please us :-). White daisies would look nice if you want a daisy-like flower. There are some varieties of similar height to Black-eyed Susan. Another plant that could work is Coneflower Milkshake or Meringue which are frilly looking. To go in a totally different direction, Bobo Hydrangea would look nice if the arbor is wide enough. One of the smallest panicle hydrangeas it has dainty leaves that don't look too rough next to the delicacy of rose blossoms and flowers in my z5b Massachusetts garden from mid- July till fall. Another option would be to put a statue, small fountain or birdbath in the arbor. I have a fountain in an arbor and think it frames it perfectly and adds some winter interest. I have climbers but they're still to small to see. This is still a work in progress but coming along nicely. Hopefully others will answer too. The members here have exquisite gardens.

sharon

Seems to me if mistakes are made in the garden it overwhelmingly leans towards making plantings too small or busy. ... as in not enough of a plant to make a statement. I don't think you're in danger of using too much peach drift. Hopefully there will be a lovely vine on the arbor and on the fence, too. I agree with 'enchanted' that goldsturn might be a clash. Seems like coneflower would be more easily compatible. Or something purplish.

Enchanted, Yardvaark,

Thank you! for your excellent thoughts, I really appreciate it. Perhaps my post drew few responses because with a single row of roses there's not much to "design"... so your input is especially helpful. I've seen so many beautiful gardens here but am underskilled in design!

Given your input I'll keep the arbor and leave the boxes as they are. On the OTHER side of the white lattice fence is a row of Yellow Canna interspersed with Liatris and 3 Clematis Venosa violacea - all planted this summer.

TRELLIS:

There is one Multi-blue on the trellis which is very nice but not that prominent when in bloom. I will add some more purple clematis to the trellis, I could probably get 3-4 more clematis planting on each side of each trellis wall. Would Jackmani make a good "wall" of flower? on the trellis? (lots of blooms?). Other?

BLACK EYED SUSAN / WHITE DAISY:

My single and only reason for thinking black eyed susan inside the trellis is that I have seen folk say it is a very reliable and very hardy perennial, and that coneflower is not. I understand about the 'clash' Peach and black eyed susan. White daisy is a great suggestion and thank you for advising would complement better. Any suggestions for hardy, reliable perennial white daisy, heat/drought tolerance...like black eyed susan that might work well? How tall should the daisy be given the row of Peach Drift?

The Bob Hydrangea is a very interesting idea. I looked at these on web - do you know how Bobo holds up across whole summer for plant and for bloom? I also think the statue/feature idea is great, something I never even would have thought of.

Sorry for long writing, I'm very grateful for your help. This is a "simple" planting area but I really want it to be effective for what it is.

growitnow

z7b, Eastern VA

ps. EnchantedRose - I love your trellis fountain!

I like the Hydrangea idea. I Love the Peegee hydrangea Phantom. It really wouldn't be drought tolerant but would bloom longer than daisies. Daisies and hydrangeas are some of my favorite plants though.

I like the idea of a statue or fountain. You could plant zinnia or the like around it. One of the blue ground covers would look great around a fountain - maybe evolvus? I think that's blue. There are some lovely hardy geranium.

I wouldn't be worried about making planting 'mistakes' at all. Gardeners 'fix' them at every opportunity. If something doesn't work out on account of being in the wrong spot, it gets moved later. Sometimes lovely designs don't work out on account of uncooperative plants. They get pitched or changed to something else. Sometimes gorgeous plant combinations appear by accident ... we make more of them! Every gardener experiences this and it can continue as long as one is pushing the boundaries. After every mistake will come an opportunity to fix it.