Thanks for the link, Dave, and the suggestion of clematis, Woofie--good idea. It was nearly 70 degrees here today and I was all ready to dig up one of my DBs when I came back to see your answer, RoseBlush. You gave me quite a bit to think about, and I put down my shovel to do it.
Some background: One of the roses is currently in the ground, in somewhat amended soil, in more shade than sun. This will be its third year, and although its canes have grown, I think it's in search of sunlight, and it hardly ever blooms. The other one (the same age) is also in the ground, in a sunnier position, but not full sun, and it has grown taller and bloomed much better and more consistently for its first two years compared to the first rose. Surprise, surprise. But both are healthy roses, and the jap beetles didn't seem particularly taken with them--at least not yet.
Of course, the third year is the "leap" year for climbers I've heard. So after reading your last thoughts and ideas, Roseblush, I'm thinking now that maybe I should just wait and see what happens to the shadier one this third year. I will do my best to give it more attention since the lack of sunlight has delayed its development, and see if it improves--even if not as floriferous as the other one, I just would like to see it looking less like a survivor.
I no longer think it's a good idea to move the other one at all; it's doing fine where it is. So... clematis! It wouldn't be the instant gratification I'm looking for, since clematis also starts off slow, too. But eventually, I just might get to live my dream.
My initial plan for this year was to grow down from a container at the top of the pillar--and look, you suggested it! I think I'll go for that. Any weeping rose cultivars you'd suggest?
