Great Britain, United Kingdom, British Isles or whatever name you wish to call this place, it has many areas ideal for growing roses. We are visiting Kew Gardens and there are spectacular displays of roses here and in many privates gardens as well. In Hawaii, growing roses is always a challenge. Roses are cool climate plants that do best at elevations of 1,000 feet or more. At lower elevations, insects and disease problems are aggravated. At best, roses require specific care or they will not do well.
Roses come in two main classes, dormant and container grown. The dormant rose plants are usually shipped in from the mainland in the early spring. Container grown plants are available after the nurseryman has given them a good start. Rootstocks vary, but research in Hawaii suggests that roses grown on Rosa fortuniana rootstock are best for low elevations. Other rootstocks used are Dr.