I'll try to dash out and get a picture at some point today, Xeranthemum.
Never thought of putting a container on the pillars just above the level of the hedge, Roseblush. The pillars are what I assume to be painted steel. They're flat, only a few inches wide with an openwork design. I could use a hang-a-pot, maybe. I was thinking of that for the top of the pillar. I'll look in the vines and climbers forum for ideas, too..
The rose is in a bed planted against the brick deck foundation, which has a clearing around it, and there's probably 20 to 30 feet between it and the closest tree. But they're quite tall and the sun rises behind them.
On one side of the brick wall formed by the deck foundation there is an established Rose of Sharon. It's not enormous, and never spectacular. It also seems to cycle through its stages slowly and bloom sporadically. I've always assumed it was because of the shade, and the rose is in a similar position.
