''Rosa'' 'Belmonte' (AKA HARpearl) is a light pink

floribunda rose Floribunda (Latin for "many-flowering") is a modern group of garden roses that was developed by crossing hybrid teas with polyantha roses, the latter being derived from crosses between '' Rosa chinensis'' and ''Rosa multiflora'' (sometimes c ...

, created by Harkness Roses of

Hitchin, Hertfordshire Hitchin () is a market town and unparished area in the North Hertfordshire district in Hertfordshire, England, with an estimated population of 35,842. History Hitchin is first noted as the central place of the Hicce people, a tribe holding 300 ...

and introduced in Great Britain in 2007.

History

Harkness Roses 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 by brothers, John Harkness (1857-1933) and Robert Harkness (1851-1920). In 1882, John and Robert began to grow and exhibit roses. In 1892, they decided to established a branch of the firm in a location with a warmer climate. Neither brother wanted to leave Yorkshire, so it was decided by a coin toss that Robert would move to

Hitchin Hitchin () is a market town and unparished area in the North Hertfordshire Districts of England, district in Hertfordshire, England, with an estimated population of 35,842. History Hitchin is first noted as the central place of the Hicce peopl ...

Hertfordshire Hertfordshire ( or ; often abbreviated Herts) is one of the home counties in southern England. It borders Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire to the north, Essex to the east, Greater London to the south, and Buckinghamshire to the west. For govern ...

to establish the new branch of Harkness and Sons. In 1901, John and Robert decided to dissolve the company and create two separate nurseries. Robert established R. Harkness & Co, today known as Harknes Roses. The stock parents of Rosa 'Belmonte' are floribunda, ''Rosa'' 'Dr. Darley' and hybrid tea, ''Rosa'' 'Pretty Lady'. The new cultivar was introduced in Great Britain by Harkness Roses in 2007 as 'Rosa Belmonte'. It was also introduced in Canada by Sheridan Nurseries Ltd. in 2013 as 'Sheridan's Anniversary Blush' and introduced in

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

by Knight's Roses in 2017 as 'Butterfly Kisses'.

Description

'Belmonte' is a medium bushy shrub, up to 3—4 ft (90-120 cm) in height, with a spread of 2-3 ft (60-90 cm). Blooms are double, cupped in form, 2—3 in (5—7.6 cm) in diameter, with 26 to 40 petals. The rose has a fruity, citrusy fragrance. The petals are light pink in color. Flowers appear in clusters of three to seven flowers throughout the season. 'Belmonte' has a moderately fruity fragrance with citrus undertones. The plant is very disease-tolerant, and can grow without regular fungicide spraying. It has medium green, glossy foliage.

Awards

''Rosa'' 'Belmonte' was a Gold Standard Award Winner in 2009. The Gold Standard is a rose award granted in the Gold Standard Trials, conducted by the British Association of Rose Breeders (BARB) and the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB).

References

{{Rose, state=collapsed Belmonte 2007 introductions