Harkness Roses were one of the outstanding rose-growers and breeders in the world. Their record of success in international rose trials was far ahead of any other breeder and gold medals were won for several years running at Chelsea. Their rose-filled fields outside Hitchin, Herts were a local landmark and a mass of colour in the summer.
It seems a far cry to Allendale in Northumberland, but that is where Thomas Harkness established himself in the 1860s as a master tailor, employing two boys, his own sons, Robert and John, who had been born in Birtley, County Durham. Their cousins lived on a neighbouring farm and the life attracted the boys. They were certainly more interested in growing plants than in sewing and in their first commercial venture turned 4d worth of pocket money into &\163;2 of wallflower plants of which they sold every one.
In 1879, they persuaded their father to set them up in business near Bedale in North Yorkshire, where as Harkness and Sons, they soon became renowned growers: their dahlias and gladioli gained international honours in 1881 and 1882. In five years they won 700 first prizes. In 1882, the brothers tried their luck at Crystal Palace but reported disgustedly that 'the judges were biased in favour of the southern nurserymen'. In 1887, however, the brothers exhibited the necessary 72 perfect blooms in 72 distinct varieties and to everyone's amazement, carried the national Rose Society Championship trophy back to Yorkshire, when it had never before travelled further than Kent or Essex. A southern base seemed necessary for further success and so the brothers tossed for who should move. The loser came south to Hitchin.