standing back and studying how it looks and seeing which plants are best suited to which spots.

I think a lot of gardeners miss this - those observations mean everything. I'm sure had the planter of roses observed more keenly, they would have understood a rose does not grow in rocks.

Whilst I'm keen for soil, I can see the appeal of rocks too, and I'm sure you'll make an amazing garden there. ..

Yeah I'm not keen on gloves either!