Harkness Roses (a trading name of R. Harkness & Co. Ltd) are rose breeders based at Hitchin, Hertfordshire in England.[1]
The nursery was founded in 1879 in Yorkshire. Early varieties included a sport of 'Heinrich Schultheis' introduced in 1893 as 'Mrs. Harkness'.
In the 1950s, Harkness popularized 'Frensham' and 'Ena Harkness', both developed by amateur Albert Norman, and for a time 'Ena Harkness' was the most popular red Hybrid Tea in the world.
Jack Harkness (1918–1994) began developing new roses for the company in 1962, and improved roses' health by introducing genes from various wild rose species. Early successes were with Hybrid Teas, and then later with Floribundas.