There are a few shrubs that have a long bloom, but the bloom is never spectacular. Roses are the exception, but they take constant fussing with, heavy fertilization, and vigilance against the many predators they have. The Shrubs forum is probably a better place to ask about specific shrubs. Personally, I'd go for something with a once-a-year spectacular bloom, before the roses start blooming, which also has nice, bright green foliage that forms a lush backdrop for the roses the rest of the year. Don't get something that will compete too much with the roses. Plant annuals and a few tall perennials around the shrub and roses for a long bloom.

What about find a die cut of a church/catherdral windo and put pictures in each of the windows? think of church related things to decorate the pages...candles, bible, pews, crosses, baptism fountain, parts of a bulletin if your church does that. Does this help at all?

Depending on your area, some places have remnants available for sale. We have a slabyard that is only remnants -- they buy up leftovers from fabricators and sell them. Another idea would be a pre-fab place -- they generally have straight runs of counter or vanity tops available in granite, marble, quartz and even soapstone. Some even sell these pieces with an unfinished edge, so you can finish them however you wish.

Sorie, With the way torrential rainfall occurs here sometimes, I'd be worried that heavy rainfall would cut right through a raised bed and wash it away. I do think you have to start with a French drain somewhere, whether temporary or permanent. You have to be really careful because if you make changes that cause more water to flow onto a neighbor's property or into their house, they can sue you. The fact is that raised beds without permanent edging (built more like a mound of soil than a soil-filled rectangle, for example) would be likely to wash away. I am sure a landscaping contractor could build those sort of island beds with some kind of internal drainage system that could keep a bed from washing out as long as actual flooding wasn't occurring, but that might be a pricey project. I love, love, love the idea of a dry creek bed like the one in the photo Miraje posted. Personally, assuming there is not a Home Owners Association with rules prohibiting dry creek beds or rock gardens, it is exactly the most perfect solution for you. With a high-quality landscape fabric underneath the stones, it also would be very low maintenance which is also a plus. Scott does landscaping work, so I am hoping he will have some good ideas for you when he sees this. Dawn