Hello ... I wouldn't plant anything with the roses, as they hate competing for nutrients, especially when your cordylines turn into small trees! What's your general weather like there - Roses don't like too much wind exposure, as this rocks the plant and makes it difficult for them to take up nutrients. Also, a dry/harsh air could cause problems. Had a thought to mix with phormium, but phormiums don't like feeding and will rot in the rich soil preferred by roses. Try just a 'rose bed' if your climate and soil is okay?! Clay soils only work if there is sufficient drainage - roses like air around their roots. Sorry if this isn't very helpful for you.

I too wouldn't recommend Cordyline and roses in the same bed - as far as feeding of roses is concerned, get yourself a specialist rose feed (in UK, something like Toprose) and feed once in mid to late spring, and again six weeks later. Cordyline will not appreciate that kind of feeding, so best plant them elsewhere.

thanks for the imformation you have been really helpfull thanks once again

I weigh in with Avkq and Bamboo, since Cordylines need dryish conditions and roses need lots of water and food. On the other hand, Yucca gloriosa and Y. elephantipes could adapt to rose conditions, especially if you improve the drainage where you plant them. Some of the subtropical palms could also adapt, especially Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), or Paurotis Palm (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii). The later is well adapted to srich, slightly acid soil, which the roses will also appreciate. In all cases, water and feed the roses more near the trees, to provide for both.

From an aesthetic point of view, Tug, I wouldn't like any of those plants you mention mixed in with roses - Yucca flaccida I'd probably just about go with, but not the others. But then that's my personal taste rather than for horticultural reasons...

I agree partly on the aesthetics, Bamboo, though Palms and Roses work surprisingly well together, as a design. I have seen even more outre designs, here in the desert--especially at some of the resorts. On the other hand, I believe that people should have the garden that they want, without much more than an "are you sure?" from the "fashion police".

Yep, each to his own..