Well, campanula, of course, I'm sure Denise's 'top configuration' is excellent as well. :)) Should have used a more specific pronoun. Sherry

I am rather upset that a couple of my pillars are rusting out--they cost a fair amount of money! However, the rusting pillars have in no way affected the roses growing on them. Normal blooms, normal leaves and canes, and normal growth. I don't think the rust we associate with a metal is the same kind of thing as the rust that a rose can suffer from. I should also add that I have never had aphids ruin a rose. When they show up, I wipe them off the rose for a week or so. Then the good bugs show up and gobble them up. End of aphids. I think you might do better to find an experienced rosarian in your area to help you diagnose whatever the problems are that you are having with your roses. I suspect you are focusing on the wrong "causes"--which is probably why you are having trouble finding solutions. If you would take some pictures and post them here, other posters might be able to help you locate the right cause and then suggest some effective actions you can take. People here are more than willing to help if you give them sufficient info. to work with. Kate

Clematis and Morning Glory are delicate and polite, you can plant them anywhere. Morning glory will spread its seeds and come up in unexpected places in future years though. I'd research the size of the clematis on a clematis site, mine haven't every really been "fillers" of space, but they're pretty. I have to agree with karynl on the trumpet... in a sense...they're invasive, sturdy, and impossible to eradicate...but they're gorgeous. My recommendation is on a fenceline or place where you mow and you can mow around it to keep it in control. I've seen them covering and topping 30 foot trees in pastures.

I'm in DFW too... Perhaps the honeysuckles were there, but weren't blooming? They grow pretty fast..but not in the winter. Roses will be starting to bloom now and some varieties are continuous but will get the first big flush about now. Not an expert though...All I know is that we hard prune roses on Valentine's day, here...