''Rosa'' 'Ena Harkness' is a medium red hybrid tea rose cultivar, developed by Albert Norman before 1940 and introduced into

Britain Britain most often refers to: * The United Kingdom, a sovereign state in Europe comprising the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands * Great Britain, the largest island in the United King ...

Harkness Roses Harkness Roses (a trading name of R. Harkness & Co. Ltd) are rose breeders based at Hitchin, Hertfordshire in England. The nursery was founded in 1879 in Yorkshire by brothers, John and Robert Harkness. Early varieties include 'Mrs. Harkness', ' ...

in 1946. It was awarded the RNRS Gold Medal by the

Royal National Rose Society The Royal National Rose Society (RNRS) (1876-2017) was a specialist horticultural organization in the United Kingdom dedicated to the cultivation and appreciation of roses. Founded in 1876 as the "National Rose Society", it was the world's olde ...

(RNRS) in 1945 and the Portland Gold Medal in 1955.

Description

'Ena Harkness' is a short, upright hybrid tea rose, 2–3 ft (90–121 cm) in height, with a 2 ft (61 cm) plant spread. The rose has a full (26-40 petals) high-centered bloom form with 4–5 in (10-12.7 cm) flowers. 'Ena Harkness' has a strong fruity fragrance with a medium red bloom color. The rose blooms in flushes from spring to late fall and is very disease resistant. The flowers also hold up to rain very well. The foliage is dark green and the plant has many thorns and prickles.

History

'Ena Harkness' was developed by amateur rose breeder Albert Norman before 1940. A family friend of the Harkness family of Harkness Roses, Norman was a diamond cutter by profession. Norman developed the rose by hybridizing ''Rosa'' 'Southport' and ''Rosa'' 'Crimson Glory'. He wanted to name his new rose for his friend and rose grower Bill Harkness, but Bill asked him to name the rose after his wife "Ena". Norman also developed 'Frensham', 'Vera Dalton' and 'Anne Elizabeth' for Harkness Roses. Norman later became president of the National Rose Society of Great Britain. 'Ena Harkness' was introduced into Britain by

in 1946 and "made the fortune of the Harkness family". The legendary rose nursery, which continues to sell roses today, was established in 1879 in

Bedale Bedale ( ) is a market town and civil parish in the district of Hambleton, North Yorkshire, England. Historically part of the North Riding of Yorkshire, it is north of Leeds, south-west of Middlesbrough and south-west of the county town of ...

Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ; abbreviated Yorks), formally known as the County of York, is a Historic counties of England, historic county in northern England and by far the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its large area in comparison with other Eng ...

by brothers John Harkness (1857-1933) and (Robert Harkness (1851-1920). 'Ena Harkness' was used to develop two rose cultivars, Rosa 'Hanne' and Rosa 'Red Dandy'. 'Ena Harkness' was awarded the RNRS Gold Medal by the

(RNRS) in 1945 and the Portland Gold Medal in 1955.

Child plants

* ''Rosa'' 'Hanne' (Soenderhousen, 1959) * ''Rosa'' 'Red Dandy' (Norman, 1959)

References

{{Rose, state=collapsed Ena Harkness 1946 introductions