STELLERIT – orange tea-hybrid rose – HARrowbond
STELLERIT is a hybrid tea rose for those who enjoy colour and perfume without complicated care, bringing glowing orange-peach blooms that hold their charm even in soft Irish light and rainfall-washed summer days. Its strong, citrus-scented flowers are ideal for cutting, yet the bush stays neat and upright in a small family garden or “girly” cottage border. Container-grown on its own roots, it settles in steadily, building a dependable root system for a long, healthy garden life. Think of it as a gentle, fragrant companion: first it concentrates on roots, then pushes sturdy shoots, and by the third year rewards you with full ornamental value. With moderate disease resistance, glossy foliage and a good repeat flush, you can simply plant, mulch, water, and enjoy.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front garden feature rose |
The upright, moderately tall habit and large, glowing orange blooms make STELLERIT a superb focal point near a doorway or garden path. Planted at about 1 m spacing, it creates a welcoming accent without overpowering a small Dublin or suburban front. Ideal for the homeowner. |
| Classic Irish cottage border |
Its warm peach-orange tones blend beautifully with traditional cottage plants like delphiniums and Russian sage, while the strong citrus fragrance drifts through low garden walls and small lawns. Repeat flowering keeps colour going through short summers for the cottage‑garden lover. |
| Cutting and vase arrangements |
Large, double, solitary blooms on strong stems are perfect for cutting; the long-lasting, fresh citrus fragrance and refined hybrid tea form suit indoor displays. Regular picking encourages new flowers, giving practical beauty indoors and out for the fragrance‑seeker. |
| Own-root long-term planting |
Being supplied on its own roots, STELLERIT establishes steadily and can regenerate well after harsh winters or pruning, avoiding issues of suckering and graft failure. Over time it becomes a stable, reliable shrub for the future‑minded gardener. |
| Low-maintenance family bed |
Moderate disease resistance, especially against black spot, and only medium maintenance needs mean simple routines: good soil preparation, mulch, and occasional protection. Suitable where time is limited but flowers are expected for the busy household. |
| Small hedge or row planting |
At 55–65 cm spacing, STELLERIT forms a loose, colourful hedge, ideal along drives or boundaries, giving structure plus repeat flowering. This works well in typical Irish clay soils when combined with basic drainage and mulch care for the practical planner. |
| Large patio container |
Its moderate height and upright habit make it a fine choice for big pots of at least 40–50 litres, where consistent watering suits its medium drought tolerance. This brings fragrance and colour right up to seating areas for the urban balcony‑owner. |
| Pollinator-friendly mixed bed |
The moderately attractive, double blooms offer some access to stamens, supporting bees alongside airy companions like Perovskia and Lychnis, while repeated flushes extend interest through wetter, wind-brushed Atlantic summers. A thoughtful option for the nature‑oriented buyer. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-Romantic Border – Combine STELLERIT with delphiniums and Lychnis for a soft, “girly” border of vertical blues and magenta against orange-peach blooms – suited to nostalgic cottage-garden enthusiasts.
- Front-Door Welcome – Plant a pair in matching pots of at least 50 litres by the entrance, underplanted with lavender or thyme, to create a fragrant, tidy welcome for guests – ideal for compact urban front gardens.
- Sunset Cut-Flower Patch – Dedicate a small bed to STELLERIT with airy Russian sage behind; the contrast gives armfuls of strongly scented cut flowers all season – perfect for home florists.
- Soft-Hedge Glow – Use a loose row along a path, interspersed with low ornamental grasses, to catch evening light on the warm blooms and glossy foliage – appealing to structure-loving planners.
- Pollinator Corner Mix – Blend STELLERIT with catmint and alliums so its moderate pollinator appeal is boosted by nectar-rich partners, creating a lively, buzzing corner – great for wildlife-focused families.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as HARrowbond, marketed as STELLERIT – orange tea-hybrid rose – Harkness; also exhibited under the name Rosemary Harkness in show and cut-flower categories. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Jack Harkness, R. Harkness & Co. Ltd., Hitchin, United Kingdom, from ‘Compassion’ × (‘Basildon Bond’ × ‘Grandpa Dickson’); introduced and registered in 1985 in the UK. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly decorated for flower form and fragrance: Belfast Gold Medal for best large-flowered hybrid tea and for fragrance in 1987, Tollcross Fragrance Award 1991, Hamilton NZ best floribunda 1995. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Medium to tall upright bush, around 95–125 cm high and 75–105 cm wide, with moderately dense, dark green glossy foliage and a moderately thorny framework that suits beds, borders, and containers. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double, cup-shaped hybrid tea blooms, typically 7–10 cm across, borne mainly singly on stems; around 26–39 petals, repeating reliably with a strong second flush under normal garden conditions. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Warm orange flowers with peach sheen; buds intense orange-pink, opening to vivid orange centres and softer yellowish-pink outers; colour moderates or fades slightly in strong sun but remains richer in cooler weather. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, long-lasting perfume with a fresh, citrusy character that reads as bright and clean; fragrance is evident both on the bush and when cut for the vase, especially in mild, still evening conditions. |
| Hip characteristics |
Produces moderate numbers of small, ovoid red hips, roughly 10–14 mm in diameter, adding a light decorative touch in late season if spent blooms are left uncut after the main flowering period. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Winter hardy to about −26 to −23 °C (RHS H7, USDA 5b); disease resistance moderate overall, with good black spot resistance and moderate tolerance to powdery mildew and rust in average garden care. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers fertile, well-drained soil with added organic matter; water consistently, avoid long droughts. Space 55–100 cm depending on use; tolerates partial shade; 2–3 plants/m² for mass plantings or hedging. |
STELLERIT Hybrid tea rose HARrowbond brings strong citrus fragrance, glowing repeat flowers and long-lived own-root reliability to everyday Irish gardens, a graceful choice if you value easy beauty over complicated care.
