If you want to protect the tree from snow load and wind, make a teepee-like structure and cover it with burlap, leaving an opening at the top. As for the virginiana vs. chinense, what did the labels say? I would not attempt to replant a tree that has struggled at this point in the year. Make sure you keep it well watered right up to the onset of hard freezes. The vast majority of nursery stock today is containerized. The great weight and much more expensive labor and shipping costs of balled and burlapped plants has severely limited that option for most growers. Encircling roots and pot bound plants are realities, but, by and large, properly treated and planted container plants establish more easily over more of the year than the old b&b or bare root stock. The prevelance of poorly cared for plants, especially at the big box stores, is much more of a "crime" than anything perpetrated by the container industry.

R. multiflora makes an excellent rootstock for many areas (mine, for one). Yes, you can graft more than one variety (color doesn't matter) to the same rootstock. Weeks Roses does this with standards (tree) roses, they have a Julia Child and Edd Tide and Iceberg & Brilliant Pink Iceberg, and they used to have a Moonstone/Olympiad combo.

Salt-N-Pepper would be particularly apt for tomatoes. Any musical groups named for vinegar or salad dressing? Any singers named Basil? I swear I've heard more than a few plants and trees begging for water in our recent multiple-years' drought, so the conversation goes both ways! I'm also reminded of the beliefs of many indigenous cultures: that before eating an animal or cutting down a tree, you should address the spirit of that animal or tree, showing respect and appreciation for their sacrifice to benefit humankind. When thinning my tomato seedlings, I did rather feel I should have been apologizing.... And on a more mundane note: Ever since Jerry Baker's Talk to Your Plants came out -- which was a good few decades ago -- I've thought the primary benefit of talking to plants is that in spending more time with them, you're paying them more attention. So you are more aware of how they're doing, what makes them happy and unhappy, etc.

Running out of options for my challenging situation ( need a privacy living wall in 5' deep planter between pool & retaining wall- see pic ). Because it would be sitting in such tight area, many limiting factors are at play: invasive roots, bees, litter (berries, leaves, etc). The current wall by LA City code & is only 4' at our backyard grade (6'off the sidewalk) - making my family unwilling participants of the "reality show" - we r on full display of the entire street (the wall is 65' long). I read about the aggressive invasive growth of the Trumpet Vine & want to know if anybody has personal experience with Lonicera Japonica Honeysuckle vine? Bees? Invasive? Litter? Roots? TIA for all ur input.