Question
I have a handful of Rose bushes in my small garden. It is very sunny all day and I love the rose bushes, but I would like to put some other plants there besides the usual petunias and things they sell in the garden center. What do you recommend?  Remember, I have a very small area but it is very sunny.  I live in New Jersey.

Answer
You didn't say what kind of Roses you are growing -- tea roses with a short burst of bloom or everblooming floribundas.  Dictate your colors around that.  

In a small pocket like that you need a succession of different colors, not just different plants.

In late spring, 2 Alliums stand out: A. moly and A. azareum.  The short yellow moly is intense and cheerful.  The tall, graceful little blue globes of azareum are a true blue that is so uncommon.  These last a month if you can resist cutting them.  

Can you grow UP?  Clematis are very easy to grow.  Find one you like that.  I also absolutely love the weedy Honeysuckle, which blooms right now and fills the air with fragrance.  Later in the season, a few tall Nicotiana alatum, which I purchase from Graceful Gardens (www.gracefulgardens.com), are inconspicuous and impressively fragrant in the dark.  

I am crazy about show-stopping Delphiniums.  But they have a very short show.  Instead, try the annual Larkspur from seed, and you can transition through the summer with its sky blue touches for the rest of the summer.  I prefer to stick with clear blue and white, although it also comes in shades of violet and pink.  

At the rear, beginning in late July, Dahlias are showstoppers and bloom until frost.  You might try squeezing one in every 3 square feet.  I get mine from Swan Island Dahlis (www.swanislanddahlias.com).  By far the best effect is with a Dahlia sized B or larger, the bigger the better.  Cultural instructions are included with your order.  Make sure you take the directions about drainage seriously.  

Borders of white Petunias and white Sweet Alyssum will seal the deal.

Make sure you put a birdbath somewhere.  It's a perfect focal point and if you keep it filled, you'll have avian visitors all summer.  

Plant, then send me a picture.  Looking forward to hearing from you!