Sorry for the late follow up...been out of town... Regarding the poor conditions I was just repeating what I read about where the sedum will grow. The area where I've planted the roses is not in poor soil (although I realize that area looks pretty poor right now with the beautiful black gutter pipe and the dead leaves about!). They are doing quite well and regaining leaves and buds. The area on the other side of the yew (not pictured-but would have probably been helpful) gets a lot of heat (full hot sun, right next to sidewalk and driveway) and is somewhat parched soil and with no mulch to cover it, I consider that a rough area for planting and perhaps the sedum, since it tolerates poor conditions, might do ok here as well as be fine for the rest of the area toward the back where it's full sun but there is more moisture and a bit of shade. Another question about the sedum-if it gets stepped on or driven over by a tricycle will it recover or look pretty bad? Initially I had thought of the periwinkle because it will tolerate 'light' foot traffic and not be terribly ruined if someone happens to traipse over it.

Mickey, try posting this request on the "Plant Exchange" forum. Also, you don't say where in zone 6 you are, but several of the regional forums have plant swaps in the spring. If you're in the Mid-Atlantic area (MD, VA, PA, DE etc.) you may want to come to the spring swap in Maryland (see Mid-Atlantic Gardening forum). You can swap food for plants, if you haven't got any plants to trade, and people almost always have things to give away.

As with any so-called invasive plant, its invasive properties are determined by location and planting situation. As noted, in some parts of the country, vinca is a listed invasive, escaping cultivation and invading natural woodland areas. In other parts of the country, it is only an aggressively spreading, shade loving groundcover. Vinca is used widely in my area, as yet with no indication of it being a truly ecologically invasive plant. IME, it is best used to cover an otherwise unplanted area or with larger growing woody plants, like trees and shrubs. For example, it makes an excellent groundcover with rhododendrons and azaleas or under large conifers. It doesn't play all that well with smaller, herbaceous perennials, as it can easily overwhelm and smother them. And I would avoid planting it in any area that would allow it to spread into any natural plantings, like open woodlands.

I am agreement with iris_gal z9 (we have almost the same name and same zone LOL! but my "iris" is after my DLD...dear little dog!) We had vinca minor at our former house and it had managed to find its way into flower beds almost all the way around the house. When we had our present house built, which is 25 miles away, I swear that the vinca followed us here because it ended up in my flower beds and I spent one summer pulling it out, along with mint and wild strawberry. I also have ipheion which I am guilty of planting from just a few bulbs but I let it stay because it looks charming when it blooms and I don't have to treat it nice. But don't even get me started on the evil Blue Dawn vine which will be here til the end of time.