Dunno about roses being for sissies.. ..
I used to grow roses that had 8 inch blooms, Crimson Glory was ma fav.... actually learned how to grow prize winning roses.. fromm the day's of pakalolo farming, the fertalizing "numbers" use the same principles..it's all in the numbers in the fertilizers to achieve what you want from the blooms..
I enjoy growing .. always have..it's creating of the best out of nature that does it for me...
recently I came across a rare ginger.. the "hapu" was brought in from the Big Island of Hawaii.. the only other island I saw this.. it's called "Kahili" ginger.. resembling the Kahili's the Royalty carried..there must have been a "runner" in the hapu.
what looks really cool indoors as part of your design is a banana plant.. a dwarf one is the perfect size and adds to the look of a room..
if I come across some "Pele's hair" I'll send you some.. you just drape it on whatever and it thrives on the moisture that is in the air..I dunno what it's called in Florida .. but it looks cool even indoors..
don't worry about "feminine" stereotypes.. it's not easy to grow roses it's a microcosm of life.. beautiful blooms but thorns along the way. .
get some colour !! Impatiens.. make really good looking potted plants and adds amazing colour to you horticulture..
I'll try and pick up some Tea leaf plant for you red ones are cool looking..
AC
Lani