I can only comment on the poor rose. No, it is not a lost cause. Do not prune it back anymore at this time. It will stimulate new growth that would be killed by winter freezes. Next spring I would cut back one of those very woody canes to try to get new growth from the graft. did you see it bloom at all? do all the canes have 7 leaves?

Thanks for the reply and advice! No, when we moved in late July, it was wildly overgrown but no bloom. Lots of rosehips (?...hard buds?) Yes, seven leaves everywhere there is new growth.

Welcome to NC! I think you need to be patient with the clover lawn. I don't think all the seeds sprout at the same time, some may sprout next spring. If any of them sprout they will most likely take over the yard in a few years, just make sure to set your mower to its highest setting.

Tea Olives are great and easy to grow - it can take while for them to get really big.

Camellias can be very slow growing so be patient or buy larger trees (they cost a lot because they grow even slower in a pot).

David, some thoughts re your questions:

1. Grass under pecan tree---Yup, be patient with your clover seeding. If the non growing grass in the shade problem bothers you consider having an arborist work on the tree, removing some branches to allow more light to reach the ground. Also, do a search for fertilizing pecan trees in zone 7. Setting up an annual fertilizing program would make your tree more productive, if that's what you want.

2. Tea olives along the shared fence---Good choice. These shrubs remain branched to the ground which is desirable. Plant four. Wonderful fragrance when in bloom! Move the Camellias. There are several types of Camellias. The most planted are Camellia sasanqua, a fall-early winter bloomer. Camellia japonica, blooms late winter into early summer. Lot's of on-line information about planting, fertilizing and mulching them correctly. Very important information. Study!

3. No thoughts on what to plant along side of house without a picture and description of the area.

4. Inherited, mangled rose bush---Give it a year. Picture shows no sign of black-spot. Something to consider. Fertilize. Cross your fingers. You may have a treasure. If so root a cutting next summer. It's easy. (Check out the Rose Forum here on GW.) Toss the old one. Replace with the rooted rose. That is, if you want a rose growing in that location.

5. Knock-out roses along front fence---These are the least demanding roses to grow. En mass the better growing red variety makes a brilliant statement. Much discussion recently suggesting that they are being over planted in the south. This is your choice depending upon how much you want to garden? You have just moved from the frozen north to a growing area that supports a wide variety of interesting perennials through a long growing season, requiring a bit of learning, tending, deadheading, etc. It's your choice.

Just be aware that we have rose rosette a virus that attacks roses. It is fatal to roses and spreads via a small walking insect. Google it; If any of your neighbors have the problem you will have it soon. Ask your local extension office for ideas in place of the roses.

The tea olives are wonderful and can bloom in fall and spring when weather conditions are similar. Camellias like a bit of shade and there 2 types sasanquas and another one that I forget the name of. Another question for the extension office!

If you can go visit Plants Delight( on line catalog) in Raleigh NC high $ plants when they have their open house dates and by all means go to the Farmer's Market lower $ too. They have a lot of new intros.