Introduction & History

Compassion stands as one of the most beloved climbing roses of the twentieth century, a variety that combines exquisite flower form, ravishing color, and intoxicating fragrance in a package that few climbers can match. Bred by Jack Harkness in England and introduced in 1973, it quickly became the best-selling climbing rose in the United Kingdom and remains so to this day. The large, hybrid tea-shaped blooms open in a luminous blend of salmon pink and soft apricot, filling the air with a rich, sweet perfume that has won it numerous fragrance awards. Harkness named it Compassion as a reflection of the rose's gentle beauty and the warmth it brings to any garden setting. In France, it is known as Belle de Londres, a tribute to its appeal across the English Channel. Compassion proves that a climbing rose can rival the finest bush roses for flower quality while adding the dramatic dimension of height.

Breeding History

Compassion was bred by Jack Harkness at his nursery in Hitchin, England, from a cross between White Cockade and Prima Ballerina. Introduced in 1973, it rapidly became the UK's best-selling climbing rose, a position it has held for decades. The marriage of White Cockade's climbing vigor and clean foliage with Prima Ballerina's exquisite bloom form and fragrance produced a rose greater than the sum of its parts. Compassion has won numerous awards, including the Edland Medal for fragrance from the Royal National Rose Society and the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. It remains Jack Harkness's single greatest contribution to the climbing rose class.

Flower Form & Fragrance

The flowers are large and fully double with 35-40 petals, opening from elegant, scrolled buds to high-centered, hybrid tea-form blooms measuring 10-12 cm across. Color is a luminous blend of salmon pink with soft apricot shadings, deeper at the heart and paling to a warm buff at the petal edges. The fragrance is strong, rich, and sweet with a classic damask rose character overlaid with fruity apricot and honey notes. Blooms appear singly and in small clusters, with excellent repeat flowering from early summer through autumn. The flower quality rivals many of the finest hybrid teas.

Garden Design & Uses

Compassion is magnificent on pillars, arches, and walls where its large, fragrant blooms can be admired at close range. Plant it beside a doorway, window, or seating area to enjoy the perfume. It pairs beautifully with soft blues and purples such as lavender, catmint, and blue geraniums. Underplant with silver-leaved artemisia or stachys to complement the warm salmon-apricot tones. It also makes a stunning arch rose when two plants are trained to meet at the top. The refined flower form deserves a prominent position in any garden.

Growth Habit & Hardiness

Compassion grows to 250-350 cm tall with a spread of 180-250 cm. Canes are strong, upright, and moderately thorny with good flexibility for training. Foliage is dark green, glossy, and abundant, providing excellent coverage. Thorn density is moderate with typical hooked prickles. Growth is vigorous and the plant establishes a productive framework within two seasons. It flowers freely on both older wood and new lateral shoots, producing blooms from near the base to the top when canes are trained at an angle.

Climate & Hardiness

Compassion is hardy in USDA zones 5b through 9b. It performs exceptionally well in the cool, maritime climates of the UK and northern Europe, where the salmon-apricot colors develop most richly. Heat tolerance is moderate; in very hot climates the flowers may fade quickly and fragrance can be less pronounced. Cold hardiness is good with proper winter protection. Rain tolerance is moderate, as the large, double blooms can ball in persistent wet weather. Best performance is achieved in temperate climates.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Planting & Container Growing

Plant in rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0. Full sun is essential for the best flower quality and fragrance development. Space plants 200-250 cm apart. Prepare a generous planting hole at least 45 cm deep with abundant organic matter. Set the bud union 5-8 cm below soil surface in cold climates. Position 30-45 cm away from walls to avoid dry conditions. This rose demands fertile soil and regular feeding to produce its large, richly scented blooms consistently.

Container Growing

Compassion can be grown in containers of 55-65 liters with a pillar or obelisk for support. Use a rich, loam-based potting mix with added perlite and slow-release fertilizer. Water daily in summer and feed weekly with liquid rose food. Container feasibility is rated moderate. The plant will bloom and produce fragrance but will not reach its full climbing potential. This is best attempted on a sheltered patio where the fragrance can be appreciated in an intimate setting. Repot every two years.

Seasonal Care & Pruning

In spring, shorten lateral shoots to two to three buds and remove dead or weak growth. Tie in new canes at angles to promote lateral flowering. Apply a generous dressing of well-rotted manure and slow-release fertilizer. Through summer, deadhead promptly to encourage continuous bloom, water deeply, and feed fortnightly with liquid fertilizer. In humid weather, spray preventively for black spot. In autumn, stop feeding and allow the plant to harden off. In winter, mulch the base deeply and protect the bud union in cold regions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The five most common mistakes are: 1) Planting in a dry, shaded position where blooms fail to develop their full color and fragrance. 2) Under-feeding, as Compassion is a hungry rose that needs generous nutrition for its large flowers. 3) Allowing the plant to grow too tall without training canes laterally, resulting in a bare base. 4) Failing to spray preventively for black spot in humid regions. 5) Pruning too severely in spring, removing the semi-permanent framework canes needed for height and structure.

Propagation

Compassion is best propagated by budding onto Rosa laxa rootstock in summer, which is the standard commercial method. Hardwood cuttings taken in late autumn can root but success rates are variable. Semi-ripe cuttings under mist in mid-summer give better results. Grafting is also possible for experienced propagators. Own-root plants tend to be less vigorous than budded specimens. Propagation difficulty is rated moderate. Home gardeners may find layering of low canes the easiest approach.

Diseases & Pests

Compassion has good overall disease resistance, better than many climbing roses. Black spot can be an issue in humid climates but is usually manageable with preventive spraying. Powdery mildew is uncommon. Rust may appear occasionally but is rarely severe. Aphids target new growth in spring and should be controlled early. The fragrant blooms attract Japanese beetles in affected regions. Thrips may damage developing buds in hot weather. Regular monitoring and good cultural practices keep most problems in check.

Cut Flowers & Exhibition

Compassion makes superb cut flowers. Cut when buds are showing color and just beginning to open. The long, elegant buds open slowly indoors, providing up to eight days of vase life with floral preservative. The strong fragrance perfumes an entire room. Strip lower foliage, recut stems under warm water, and place in a clean vase. The salmon-apricot tones work beautifully in mixed arrangements with soft pinks, whites, and creams.

Collector & Exhibition Notes

Compassion is a premier exhibition climbing rose, regularly winning at shows in the UK and internationally. Its hybrid tea-quality bloom form makes it highly competitive in the climber class. Select specimens at the half-open stage showing perfect symmetry and rich color. The Edland Medal fragrance award adds distinction. While widely available and not rare, Compassion is universally respected among rose exhibitors and collectors as one of the finest climbing roses ever bred.

Comparison with Similar Roses

Compared to Royal Sunset, Compassion offers a more refined flower form with better disease resistance, while Royal Sunset delivers deeper copper tones and equally strong fragrance. Against Penny Lane, another Harkness climber, Compassion has stronger fragrance and warmer color but Penny Lane provides better rain tolerance and cleaner foliage. Compared to Breath of Life, a similar colored climber, Compassion is more vigorous, more fragrant, and more widely adaptable.

Heritage & Conservation

Compassion is firmly established in global commerce as one of the most widely sold climbing roses. It is preserved in major collections including the Royal National Rose Society gardens, Mottisfont Abbey, and the Europa-Rosarium at Sangerhausen. As the flagship variety of the Harkness nursery's climbing rose program, it represents an important piece of British horticultural heritage. No conservation concerns exist.

Cultural Significance

Compassion has become synonymous with the English climbing rose tradition and represents the pinnacle of Jack Harkness's breeding achievements. Its name resonates with themes of gentleness and empathy, making it a popular choice for memorial and contemplative gardens. The variety has been featured in countless garden design books and television programs as the ideal climbing rose. Its fragrance has been studied by perfumers and is considered one of the benchmarks of the classic damask-fruity rose scent profile.

Frequently Asked Questions