Courageous

English Legend®

HARextra – Robert Harkness

Deep, velvety dark-red tone with a ruby-red hue. - nostalgia rose - very strong, noticeable from a distance, scented rose - rose, wild berry

– Deep, velvety dark-red nostalgic blooms.
– Classic rosette flowers, very fully petalled.
– Very strong fragrance of rose and wild berry.
– Bushy, dense habit for rich coverage.
– Hardy shrub rose for colder climates.
– Special feature: Colour deepens to smoky burgundy with a subtle lilac edge as blooms age.

Exclusive finished product

pharmaROSA® NEONATAL rooted rose cutting

28,20 £

Due to courier service regulations – and the introduction of customs clearance – delivery to Ireland is temporarily suspended.

3.5 (5584)

Courageous English Legend® HARextra – pharmaROSA® NEONATAL rooted cutting

With its romantic flower form and nostalgic colour range, Courageous English Legend® HARextra offers professional partners a premium, own-root base for high-value, exclusive container production where flower quality clearly leads. This strongly scented shrub-type bush fits naturally into English-style thematic rose gardens, curated collections and display beds where distinctive character is required and maintenance resources are available. The medium-tall, bushy framework with dense foliage supports a bush-trained release form with 3–5 structural canes, ideal for 5–7 litre premium containers and staged, batch-wise retail release. Own-root production provides long-term stability and predictable regeneration under repeated cutting and trimming, supporting homogeneous stands, low replacement and reliable restocking for retail and reseller partners. Its remontant, large, very full rosette blooms in deep ruby to burgundy dark red secure a clear identity in romantic and collection-led assortments, while moderate heat tolerance supports dependable finishing through warmer UK summers in regions where winter and wind exposure are significant. Across production, the own-root development arc – roots consolidating in year one, structural shoots in year two and full ornamental expression from year three – aligns well with nursery production planning and long-term project supply. For integrators and nurseries building premium, story-led ranges, this cultivar combines evocative naming, strong fragrance and a visually compelling, professional-grade finish.

Usage options

Target area	Reasoning
Premium 5–7 L bush-trained container production	The large, very full, dark-red rosette blooms with strong fragrance support an exclusive finished product in the premium container segment. In a 5–7 litre premium container with bush-trained 3–5 cane structure, the nostalgic flower form and colour deliver clear perceived value for retail / reseller positioning. Own-root material underpins long-term restocking for nurseries and garden centres
Thematic and romantic rose collections	The romantic, nostalgia rose character with deep, velvety dark-red blooms fits thematic rose gardens and collection beds where flower form and character are prioritised. Using bush-trained plants in 5–7 litre containers allows curated assortment building and staggered release. Own-root propagation supports cultivar identity stability for collection maintenance in public-realm and show gardens
Specimen plants for beds and borders	The bushy growth and 105–145 cm height allow confident use as individual specimen roses in flower beds, parks and urban green spaces. A 5–7 litre premium route with well-structured framework canes helps end clients establish plants quickly. Own-root longevity and regeneration capacity support low replacement in long-term plantings for landscape-focused resellers
Fragrance-focused ranges	The very strong, distance-carrying scent with rose and wild berry notes makes this cultivar valuable in fragrance-led assortments. Premium 5–7 litre, bush-trained stock ensures sufficient flowering wood for impactful scented displays at retail. Own-root production simplifies renewing scented ranges over time for specialist rose retailers
Colour-driven dark-red assortments	The stable, deep dark-red to smoky burgundy colour with good retention offers a clear anchor for dark-red, romantic colour blocks. Premium containers enable consistent presentation, while own-root supply maintains colour-true stands across repeated production cycles. This supports narrative-led assortments for branding-oriented wholesale partners
Urban and park plantings with maintenance support	The dense foliage and bushy habit give strong visual mass for beds in parks and urban green spaces where flower form is valued and regular plant protection is feasible. Premium container production ensures robust framework at planting, while own-root bases provide long lifespan and stable stands suited to winter- and wind-exposed northern UK sites for public-realm project suppliers
Curated nostalgic / heritage-style ranges	The connection to the English Legend collection, romantic commercial grouping and commemorative cultivar name support compelling, story-based ranges. Bush-trained, premium containers give a finished look aligned with exclusive positioning. Own-root propagation helps maintain cultivar identity and availability over multiple seasons for collection-focused nurseries
Gene-bank and maintenance plantings	The verified cultivar authenticity and clear morphological profile enable reliable inclusion in maintenance blocks and gene-bank style stands, despite higher plant protection needs. Own-root stock simplifies long-term renewal from in-house cuttings and supports predictable, homogeneous stands that can underpin private-label romantic ranges for integrator supply chains

Finished-product ideas

Premium dark-red 5–7 L bush – bush-trained own-root plants in 5–7 L containers, focused on strong fragrance and deep, romantic dark-red blooms – retail / reseller premium benches
English-style collection series – curated subset of English Legend romantic roses in uniform 5–7 L premium containers, highlighting nostalgic flower form and evocative naming – thematic garden and show-garden partners
Fragrance highlight feature pots – prominently displayed 5–7 L bushes selected for very strong scent and full rosette blooms, supporting sensory-led merchandising – specialist rose and fragrance-focused retailers
Urban display bed supply line – container-grown, bush-trained plants prepared for rapid establishment in flower beds and park plantings where premium flower quality justifies higher maintenance – municipal and institutional project suppliers
Romantic dark-red signature SKU – a flagship, story-led item within a romantic rose range, leveraging the distinctive colour and commemorative name in a consistent 5–7 L format – brand-led nursery and integrator ranges

Technical cultivar profile

Parameter	Data
Name and registration	Shrub rose marketed as Courageous English Legend® HARextra, ARS exhibition name Courageous; registered as HARextra, positioned as an exclusive, premium romantic bush rose for container and bed use.
Origin and breeding	Bred by Robert Harkness, R Harkness & Co Ltd, United Kingdom; introduced 1998 in the UK as Madrigal and 2001 in the USA as Courageous; parentage not provided, romantic commercial group.
Growth and structural characteristics	Bushy shrub reaching around 105–145 cm high and 65–95 cm spread, dense medium-green slightly glossy foliage, moderately thorny shoots, weak self-cleaning so spent blooms generally require manual removal.
Flower morphology	Large, very full, clustered rosette flowers with over 40 petals; remontant habit with a less abundant second flush, giving strong first display ideal for premium containers and feature bed planting schemes.
Colour data and phenology	Deep velvety dark-red with ruby tones; buds dark crimson with near-black hue, opening ruby red then deepening to smoky burgundy with lilac-edged tones; good colour retention and moderate fading; ARS dr, RHS 187A outer, 53B inner.
Fragrance and aroma	Very strong, distance-noticeable fragrance combining classic rose notes with wild berry nuances; strongly double flowers conceal stamens, giving mainly ornamental value rather than pollinator support in production settings.
Hip characteristics	Double flowers set relatively few hips; where present, hips are spherical, around 10–14 mm diameter, red in colour, forming sparsely and with limited visual impact compared to the blooms.
Resistance and winter hardiness	Hardy to approximately -21 to -18 °C (RHS H7, Swedish zone 3, USDA 6b); moderately tolerant of heat with regular irrigation needed in prolonged drought; disease resistance susceptible, especially to black spot and rust, needing regular protection.
Horticultural recommendations	Recommended for flower beds, specimen use, parks and urban green spaces; best routed via premium container production with bush-trained plants on 3–5 canes; high maintenance needs, requiring regular plant protection and attentive deadheading.

Courageous English Legend® HARextra, supplied as own-root pharmaROSA® NEONATAL cuttings, supports premium, fragrance-led container ranges with stable bush form, dark-red bloom impact and predictable long-term stands; please contact us to coordinate volumes and scheduling.

Detailed product attributes

Product Identification Data

Product Name: COURAGEOUS – dark red nostalgic rose - Harkness

Product Type: pharmaROSA® NEONATAL - rooted rose cutting

Product Quality: -

Cultivar Authenticity: Verified:27.02.2025

Cultivar Quality Rating: premium bronze

Item Number: [1487] 21-494 (14.02.2026) pharmarosaneonatal.co.uk

Name and Registration

Meaning of Cultivar Name: The name "Courageous" honours the brave pilots of the British Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces who served in the Second World War.

Cultivar Synonym: Madrigal; King Arthur; Robin Hood®; Fetzer Syrah Rosé

Registered Cultivar Name: HARextra

Original Trade Name: Madrigal

Former Name: -

Current Trade Name: Courageous English Legend® HARextra

American Rose Society Approved Exhibition Name: Courageous

Rose Group: Shrub

Commercial Type: nostalgia rose

Commercial Group: Romantic rose

Exhibition Category: bush rose

Collection: English Legend®

Origin and Breeding

Initial Distributor: R. Harkness & Co. Ltd. (United Kingdom)

Introduction Year: 1998 (United Kingdom, under the name 'Madrigal'); 2001 (USA, under the name 'Courageous')

Registration Year: 1998

Breeder: Robert Harkness

Breeding Company / Institution: Harkness Roses (R Harkness & Co Ltd)

Breeding Year: United Kingdom, 1998

Parentage: unknown

Awards and Honours

Global and Lifetime Awards: -

Horticultural Ratings and Recommendations: -

Competition and Show Awards: -

Collectors' Recommendations: -

Growth and Structural Characteristics

Height: 3.4-4.8ft (105-145 cm)

Spread: 2.1-3.1ft (65-95 cm)

Growth Habit: bushy

Foliage: The variety has dense foliage. The leaves have a slightly glossy surface and a medium-green hue.

Prickliness: moderately thorny

Self-Cleaning Description: Most spent flowers largely remain on the plant and require subsequent removal.

Self-Cleaning Intensity: Self-cleaning: weak.

Flower Morphology

Petal Count: 40+

Flower Fullness: very full flowered

Flower Shape: rosette

Flower Size: L (2,75-3,95 in)

Inflorescence Type: clustered

Colour Code: ARS code: dr RHS code: 187A (outer), 53B (inner)

Repeat Flowering: Remontant; the second flowering is not as abundant.

Colour Data and Phenology

Colour: dark-red

Flower Colour Description: Deep, velvety dark-red tone with a ruby-red hue.

Closed Bud: The bud is dark, velvety crimson red with a deep, almost black-tinged hue.

Newly Opened Flower: At opening the petals are a rich ruby red with a delicate velvety sheen.

Full Bloom: When fully open, the colour is a deep, rich dark red with a slight garnet tint in the centre of the petals.

Before Fading: When fading, the colour mutes to a smoky burgundy with a lilac-toned edge.

Colour Fading Description: As the flower opens, the rich ruby-red colour deepens to a dark, smoky burgundy at the centre with a slight purplish tinge at the edge, and the fading is moderate.

Colour Retention Level: good

Fragrance and Aroma

Fragrance Strength: very strong, noticeable from a distance, scented rose

Fragrance Character: rose, wild berry

Pollinator Attraction: The strongly double, rosette-shaped flowers have reduced stamen accessibility, which makes them less attractive to pollinating insects.

Pollinator-Friendly Rating: Strongly double flowers that conceal the stamens; primarily an ornamental variety.

Soap and Cosmetic Use: -

Hip Characteristics

Maximum Hip Diameter: 10-14 mm

Hip Shape: spherical

Hip Colour: red

Hip Comment: Because it is double-flowered, hip formation is sparse; 10–14 mm in diameter, spherical, red rose hips.

Resistance and Hardiness

Hardiness (°C): -21–-18 °C

RHS Hardiness Rating: H7

Swedish Hardiness Zone: Zon 3

USDA Hardiness Zone: 6b

Heat and Drought Tolerance Description: Tolerates heat well and requires regular watering during prolonged dry periods.

Heat and Drought Tolerance Level: moderate

Disease Resistance: susceptible

powdery mildew – moderate
black spot – very susceptible
rust – very susceptible

Horticultural Recommendations

Recommended product path: Premium container

Recommended target pot: 5–7 L

Release form: Bush-trained, with 3–5 strong framework canes

Recommended use: Maintenance requirement high; due to poor disease resistance it requires regular plant protection treatments and more frequent interventions.

Primary Uses: flower bed, specimen, park, urban green space

Comments

Positioning: Exclusive finished product

Target customer/channel: Retail / reseller

Main value proposition: Flower quality, form

COURAGEOUS – dark red nostalgic rose - Harkness

Deep, velvety dark-red tone with a ruby-red hue. - nostalgia rose - very strong, noticeable from a distance, scented rose - rose, wild berry

Online rose order - dark-red - very strong, noticeable from a distance, scented rose - Courageous - nostalgia rose - (3.4-4.8ft (105-145 cm))

Inflorescence: clustered Height: 3.4-4.8ft (105-145 cm) Flower shape: rosette Winter hardiness: 6b dark-red - R. Harkness & Co. Ltd. (United Kingdom) nostalgia rose - Flower size: L (2,75-3,95 in) Flower size: L (2,75-3,95 in) - Height: 3.4-4.8ft (105-145 cm) Height: 3.4-4.8ft (105-145 cm) - Flower fullness: very full flowered Courageous - Roses in the garden | pharmaROSA® Neonatal - premium bronze Robert Harkness

We showcase the external appearance of the roses available for online purchase from our webshop.

Which product type is right for you?

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Information

In what condition do we dispatch the roses from our online shop?

Ask yourself the question: What final product do I want to create from it?

Wholesale of cuttings

PharmaRosa® NEONATAL is the cost‑effective starting point for rose product production.

As a uniform, own‑rooted propagation material, it provides a stable basis for further growing-on and can be integrated flexibly into different finished product production technologies.
Rooted in trays (rooted), 3–6‑month‑old, own‑rooted rose cutting.
Uniform developmental stage, with a root system that has thoroughly penetrated the plug.
For professional growing‑on.
Tray packaging: 10 pcs/tray.
Quality and varietal identity: production supported by a dedicated identification and traceability logic.
Can be transplanted during frost‑free periods, designed for finished product production.

PharmaRosa® NEONATAL provides a controlled, uniform starting stock for planned growing‑on that can be integrated into your own technology – especially where scheduling and varietal identity are paramount.

PharmaRosa® NEONATAL own-rooted rose propagation material in a plug, with a root system penetrating the plug (semi-finished product / semi-finished rose). PharmaRosa® NEONATAL rose propagation material size: 3–6‑month‑old, own-rooted cutting with a uniform developmental stage. PharmaRosa® NEONATAL tray stock: own-rooted rose propagation material in trays, uniform developmental stage (10 pcs/tray).

Captions (from left to right): Semi-finished product (NEONATAL own-rooted rose propagation material in a plug with a fully developed root system) • Size demonstration (3–6‑month‑old, uniform cutting) • Root system detail (plug penetrated by the root system) • Tray stock (10 pcs/tray, uniform developmental stage)