Although I don't grow roses, I've been happy with the pairing of Russian sage with Gaura lindheimeri/wandflower 'The Bride' for several years. The gaura blooms white with delicate, butterfly-shaped flowers on tall, thin stems that move with every breeze.

For deer deterring - any plant with highly scented foliage... one of the lower growing nepetas, salvias for a darker purple flower spike, Silver Mound artemesia.

i have my Russian Sage planted among my herb bed (lavender, thyme, and Coreopsis 'moonbeam'). Dianthus fits that color scheme too. What about a smaller ornamental grass? Everything I plant has to be highly deer resistant, so definitely possible to have a beautiful garden with deer. (Roses are definitely not remotely deer resistant in my experience though.) Happy gardening!

Hardy geraniums, aquilegias, aconitum sp.

SweetKate,

I have that same planting in my front yard and you may want to re-think the sage by your front door. The sage attracts big bumblebees and although they are not at all aggressive, (I work in my garden right next to them), some people are terrified of bees.

Linda
Landscaper and Beekeeper