Ena Harkness, close-up of the flower
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek (Kenraiz), CC BY-SA 4.0
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Hybrid TeaAlbert Norman; introduced by Harkness, 1946Red

Ena Harkness

A legend of British breeding from the 1940s; a bright red velvety flower with a deep damask scent; known for its 'weak neck' — the heavy flower often droops; very healthy, needs no support.

Code Norman's 137B · Crimson Glory × Southport · bush form (there is a separate climbing sport, Climbing Ena Harkness)

Variety profileGardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat, in flushes

Repeat, in waves from summer to autumn. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Plant size

60–80 × 45–60 cm
person 170 cm60–80 cm
Habit
Upright, compact
Dimensions
60–80 × 45–60 cm
Support
The bush form does not need support (a separate climbing sport, Climbing Ena Harkness, is a different, climbing plant)
Shoots
Upright; the flower stalks are thin and often droop under the weight of the flower ('weak neck')
Branching
Even; the bush is neat

Flower

10–13 cm
Bud shape
Classic elongated, high-centred, bright red
Open flower
Large, high-centred, 10–13 cm in diameter; velvety texture of the petals
Centre
High, classically curled — the benchmark for the hybrid tea form of its time
Fullness
~30 petals (26–40)
Flower carriage
Mostly flowers borne singly on each stem

Fragrance

Strong; classic damask rose scent

Strong classic damask rose scent — warm, deep, easily recognised; one of the most fragrant hybrid teas of its time.

Disease resistance

5 out of 5

Very resistant — 4–5/5; a reliable classic without whims.

Sun

The colour is stable and does not fade in the sun

Thorns

Moderate
thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Moderate number of prickles — typical for hybrid teas.

Foliage

Leathery, dark green.

All characteristics in a table
Group
Hybrid Tea
Breeder
Albert Norman; introduced by Harkness, United Kingdom, 1946
Bud shape
Classic elongated, high-centred, bright red
Open flower
Large, high-centred, 10–13 cm in diameter; velvety texture of the petals
Centre
High, classically curled — the benchmark for the hybrid tea form of its time
Colour
Bright red, crimson-scarlet, velvety; the colour holds well and does not fade in the sun
Fullness
~30 petals (26–40)
Flower carriage
Mostly flowers borne singly on each stem
Weak neck
Known flaw of the variety: the flower stalk ('neck') is thin, and the heavy large flower often droops. Harkness advises potassium feeding about two weeks before flowering to strengthen the stem — we say so honestly
Flowering
Repeat, in waves from summer to autumn
Fragrance
Strong classic damask rose scent — warm, deep, easily recognised; one of the most fragrant hybrid teas of its time
Habit
Upright, compact
Branching
Even; the bush is neat
Shoots
Upright; the flower stalks are thin and often droop under the weight of the flower ('weak neck')
Thorns
Moderate number of prickles — typical for hybrid teas.
Dimensions
60–80 × 45–60 cm
Support
The bush form does not need support (a separate climbing sport, Climbing Ena Harkness, is a different, climbing plant)
Foliage
Leathery, dark green
Resistance
Very resistant — 4–5/5; a reliable classic without whims
Variations of the variety
A separate climbing sport, Climbing Ena Harkness, exists; we describe the bush form

Colour scheme

Bright red, crimson-scarlet, velvety; the colour holds well and does not fade in the sun

Rose neighbours

Crimson Glorydark crimsonMister Lincolnvelvety redPapa Meillanddark redIcebergpure white · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Catmintlavender-blueSalviablue-violetStachyssilver foliageLady's mantlelight green

Rose neighbours

A classic of fragrant red Hybrid Teas — the family the variety's own parent belongs to:

Crimson GloryMister LincolnPapa MeillandIceberg

Companion perennials

Cool blue and silver tones bring out the bright red velvety bloom:

catmintsalviaStachyslady's mantle

Awards

Twice awarded a gold medal:

🏅 RNRS Gold Medal · 1945🏅 Portland Gold Medal · 1955RHS AGM — no data

More about the variety

Weak neck
Known flaw of the variety: the flower stalk ('neck') is thin, and the heavy large flower often droops. Harkness advises potassium feeding about two weeks before flowering to strengthen the stem — we say so honestly
Variations of the variety
A separate climbing sport, Climbing Ena Harkness, exists; we describe the bush form

How to grow

Where to plant. A compact, upright hybrid tea for a sunny bed, a border or cutting. No support needed. Cool blue and silver companions (catmint, salvia, Stachys) make a striking foil for the bright red velvety flower.

Climate. USDA 6b, RHS H6 (~-20…-15 °C) — in the Forest-Steppe and Steppe of Ukraine it overwinters with light protection in cold winters.

Care. Because of its 'weak neck' the heavy flower often droops. Harkness advises potassium feeding about two weeks before flowering to strengthen the flower stalk. The variety is very healthy (4–5/5) and undemanding; the colour is stable in the sun; it repeat-flowers in waves from summer to autumn.

About the name

Name. The variety is named after Ena Harkness, the wife of the rose grower Bill Harkness.

Breeding. Bred by Albert Norman (code Norman's 137B) and introduced by the firm Harkness, UK, in 1946. Parents — Crimson Glory × Southport. A separate climbing sport, Climbing Ena Harkness, exists, but we describe the bush form.

Significance. One of the best-known British hybrid teas of the 1940s — bright red, exceptionally fragrant (a strong classic damask scent) and very healthy. Honoured with the RNRS gold medal in 1945 and the Portland Gold Medal in 1955. Its only known flaw is the 'weak neck': the heavy flower often droops, which is remedied by potassium feeding before flowering.

Frequently asked questions about Ena Harkness

How many times a season does Ena Harkness flower?

Repeat, in waves from summer to autumn.

How big does Ena Harkness grow?

60–80 cm tall, 45–60 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Ena Harkness?

Overall resistance: 5 out of 5. 4–5 / 5; very resistant; a reliable classic without whims.

How much sun does Ena Harkness need?

Sun; the colour is stable and does not fade in the sun.

What does Ena Harkness smell like?

Strong classic damask rose scent — warm, deep, easily recognised; one of the most fragrant hybrid teas of its time.

Gardeners' photos and reviews

My climate

Choose a reference temperature to compare with the cultivar’s data. This is not an overwintering forecast or advice on winter protection; consider wind, moisture and the duration of frost.

Regional data are generalised. USDA describes average annual extreme minima, not a forecast; the values in the list are rounded. Check the conditions at your site. More information: Roses in Ukraine's climate.