I D please.

No, it's not a rose, it's possibly an azalea - which would account for things, being acid-loving again.
Here's a photo of what a healthy (invasive) rhodie in bud looks like!! Taken in the woods this morning -

 

I think the first one is Piptanthus, has yellow pea like flowers in spring.

 

My money's on rhodo, for the second one, though havn'y got a clue as to what kind, the nearly dead kind, perhaps

 

The first one has a tap root and not much of one at that!
Second root system is as wide and almost as big as the plant itself and very sturdy.

 

Well,they are both sitting in Focus finest Miracle-grow ericaceous compost
Think they deserve a chance and perhaps if they survive we may be able to ID them later on.

 

Actually did not look at the picture of the first one earlier on, but I think it could be a Piptanthus too. I would not like to saythat the second ISa rose though.

 

For my two pennyworth - that second one is not a rose - though the leaves are showing signs of stress. I would hazard a guess that its an azaelea. Let us know if they survive - and if they do, maybe identity will come with health.

 

By the way Fran...the ELM is looking good so far

 

I've never had much luck moving Piptanthus, as you say it has a tap root, tends not to re establish. Easy from seed, usually flowers the following spring to some extent.

 

What about watering...water butt ok I assume,not tap?...and feed?

 

My ground is more or less neutral, and they grow alright, although I must admit I have had some go a bit yellow. But I put that down to lack of feed, I'm not sure but I dont find it a very longlived shrub, not in my clay anyway.

 

I'll keep their feet in the tubs then and fingers crossed they pick up.....

 

MD - just seen your post, obviously written while I was doing mine - wasn't contradicting you - just myself!! Looks like I was really rude, tho - sorry!
I'm still convinced the first plant's a rhodie - have been looking thru loads of books an websites, and am not convinced by piptanthus - altho' leaves are leathery - they don't hang, the way these do, and rhodies do. Lots of species Rhodies have this rough surface, and curl under at the margins - and the buds on Paladin's photo are like the ones on mine.
Re the second one - the cloes-up convinces me it's not a rose, more likely an azalea, and since Paladin thought it might be another acid-lover, that would fit. I love plant idents!!

:D

 

The leaves on the second one look just like an azalea I am currently "saving" after finding it in a supermarket in a sorry state... I'll post a pic later if I can.

 

Dendy, I've just braved a gale to go outside and take this pic, as you can see I've still got me slippers on. :D

I know the leaves are greener, but piptanthus has a compound leaf, as far as I know, (and I'm no botanist), rhodos dont.