Dont think its a buckthorn..... I was thinking maybe some sort of alder ue to how close it was to the lake and it growing in complete sand

Thanks for the comments, I appreciate them. Judy, I had just rearranged all of those plants before I found the rock, so I'm glad you like the arrangement. I had let that corner get horribly overgrown with too many penstemons, hollyhocks, and there were tons of leaves and blooms from the oleanders nearby. I like the cleaner look now. The cardon has been in that spot for three years and has grown a lot. The cactus at the left came with this house and I've moved the poor thing several times, LOL. The other plants have been in the ground for a few years too but were recently relocated the the spots in the pic. Psuperb, thanks for the nice comments. When I started working the rock I was worried too that it would be too big to handle. I'm not sure WHAT I would have done had that been the case. Like you mentioned, I was already worrying about replacing the volume of soil that would be vacated by the rock removal. No small feat for a big rock. It sounds like you picked your battle wisely and cut your losses and still found a nice way for your plant to grow. I can totally understand the approach. Thanks again for taking the time to look and comment. The rock and I thank you. :) Take care, and remember folks, lift with your knees by squatting and then standing, not with your back by bending over.

Thanks Tony! I was laughing at every bit of this and enjoyed the videos. Then the same day my brother (also 'Tony') sent me this story: Yesterday I was at Wal-Mart buying a large bag of Purina dog chow for my loyal pet, "Sheriff the Wonder Dog." I was in the checkout line when woman behind me asked if I had a dog. What did she think I had, an elephant? So, since I'm retired and have little to do, on impulse I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was starting the Purina Diet again. I added that I probably shouldn't, because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms. I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is to load your pants pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete so it works well and I was going to try it again (I have to mention here that practically everyone in line was now enthralled with my story.) Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care because the dog food poisoned me. I told her, "No, I stepped off a curb to sniff an Irish Setter's butt and a car hit us both." I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard. Wal-Mart won't let me shop there anymore. Kate (still laughing)

Hi greenhaven, yes I have to protect it by bending and burying it over winter. You being in zone 4b-5a maybe able to get away without protection. However if you get it as a band it maybe wise to consider covering it in the first year using whatever technique works best in your climate - my winters are dry and cold with little snow cover. As to fragrance unfortunately I do not study that except for some specific really strong ones such as the bourbons. But HMF states a "Strong, centifolia fragrance" and that description I do not know what it means ... but most Old Garden roses are extremely fragrant. After my favorite OGR types, the bourbons and portlands, I really like mosses as they seem to be the more hardy type up here. Grow about 7 or 8 varieties.