John and Robert soon realized that Yorkshire's climate was too cold for an expanding rose growing business.

Neither brother wanted to leave Yorkshire, so it was decided by a coin toss that Robert would move to Hitchin, Hertfordshire to establish the new branch of Harkness and Sons.

[3] In the 1970s he began breeding with Rosa persica, an unusual rose species with simple leaves.

[4] During his career, Harkness developed many successful rose cultivars, including 'Alexander', 'Mountbatten' and 'Amber Queen'.

[6] 'Bridge of Sighs' is a large flowered climbing rose with glossy, medium green foliage.