If the beneficial insects that feed on thrips and aphids are attracted to certain plants, it makes sense (to me, anyway) to plant those beneficial- insect attractors as some of the companion plants to roses. I tried doing this in Alabama, and it either worked pretty well or I didn't have much of a thrips problem anyway. I don't ever use pesticides in the garden either, as I am aware that there is an entire universe going on at the insect level that I don't see or much understand. I also do believe what Hamp and buford say, that there are some roses that are thrip magnets. It would be fun to make a list of those sometime. So, here are a couple of links that list plants that attract hoverflies, tachnid wasps, ladybugs, lacewings, etc. in case anyone is interested. http://www.dianeseeds.com/flowers/beneficial-insects.html Here is a link that might be useful: plants that attract beneficial insects

My husband has liked every thing I have made for him and cleaned his plate, even things I tried that I was not fond of and complained about my self he ate and said he liked it. Now I know he may have just been being nice in those situations lol but he likes pretty much everything. We just started on this smoothie regimen and he was very apprehensive about it but he has taken to it pretty well, only one thing he told me not to add to his any more that was oats or granola he does not like anything crunchy in his. He could eat just beans and be perfectly happy. He will on occasion go open a can of beans from the pantry and eat them right out of the can with a spoon. Which just kills me! I say here let me go put them in a bowl and heat them, nope this is fine. He is especially happy if I make a big ole pot of beans and well pretty much anything as long it is a big pot of beans. We both love Brussels sprouts any which way, I buy the ones in the steam in bag often that is just so convenient. I do not eat greens of any sort, he does like certain greens, so I tried once to cook some for him. He tried to choke down a serving then I took it from him and told him I would not let him eat them they were going in the trash, he willingly gave me his plate lol I have not attempted that again he can eat them at a restaurant!

This is a plant new to me, but because it is In the carrot family I will try. I have pulled a Large container of leafy,green and lush parsley All the way thru cold season outdoors due to Covering them with foam pads and heavy,coated Feed sacks during temp drops. I am waiting for some moms to come lay eggs; And will be looking for supplemental plants for Feeding some cats. My husband saw a zebra swallowtail yesterday. Today I will be pruning back lantanas around the Dragonfly pond!

Speaking of a similar looking root vegetable that doesn't taste like sweet potato, I was pleasantly surprised by Dasheen. A coworker (an amateur cook who has thoroughly mastered all things potato) got them from a Jamaican friend. Botanically it's not in the sweet potato (Ipomoea), yam (Dioscorea) or regular potato (Solanum) family. It has some connection to taro and some Elephant ear plants, but I'm not clear on the fine distinctions. On the downside, it produces some oxalate and calcium oxalate. Sorry this doesn't answer the main question but I thought it worth mentioning. I've been growing ornamental sweet potato and it fills in & shades the empty areas nicely. I tried Elephant ear for the first time last year (the wind gusts were rough on them) but I don't think this variety is edible, unless you're starving.