BackgroundColor for table row with subreports

One of the columns within a table on my parent page contains data that increases the height of the row, (a 'comments' field).  Unfortunately a subreport within that table does not expand to fill the entire height of the cell it is in because of the expanded row height, therefore leaving "white space" below it.  Some rows have a different background color depending on a certain fields' value but in the column where the subreport is, I can't set the background color in the properties window because that attribute has been removed.

Everything with my report works correctly but I just can't seem to get that white space to change to the correct color.

 I've tried the following so far with no luck:

1.  Setting the background color of the table row.  This option is not available within the properties dialog box.  I assume because the row has a subreport nested in it.  (Can I set the background color somewhere else?)

2.  I passed the row color variable as a parameter to the subreport but obviously that only colors the subreport and not the whitespace underneath it within the table row.

 
My report looks goofy with a whole row one color except for the whitespace under my subreport in each row so if anyone could point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it.

 

Thanks.