Neal - we make our own compost and add to it continually. The JI's love manure. I have no experience with rabbit manure but someone here at ATP loves it for her clematises. We also have great soil, and after more than 20 years and tons of compost, and manure as I can manage it, we have excellent water retention. We're about 200' from the water but do not have sandy soil, thankfully.
I'm most likely to use the azalea/rhododendron food when I buy it and then somehow it ends up on a garage shelf and I stop thinking about it.
Frilly is right about the pot color and it attracting even more heat in summer. Perhaps you could put your pot inside of a lighter colored pot.
Ladybug - I did a trade of JI's for Louisiana irises with Kathy Ann Allgood, also in Arkansas, years ago. I will attempt to contact her to see how well they're growing for her and if she has any helpful hints for you.
