Nancy I was shocked at how big the roots were. I posted earlier how I redid the veggie filter and had ripped them out and in the process they lost alot of their roots and had to reestablish themselves. That was towards the end or middle of August. Over the winter I am going to come up with some kind of drain/flush system for the veggie filter so I don't have to rip everything out to clean. Would like to add a perrrerial like rush or mini cattail for some height in the middle with the impatiens on the edges. Here's to late April, it can't get here soon enough.