Compassion Rose Bushes

• Variety: Compassion
• Type: Climbing Hybrid Tea
• Colour: Salmon-pink shading to apricot, large high-centred double blooms
• Fragrance: Strong — sweet, classic rose
• Height: 300cm (10ft)
• Flowering: June to October, repeat-flowering
• Aspect: Full sun to partial shade
• Support: Needs wires, trellis, or a sturdy pergola
• RHS AGM: Holds the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit
• Disease resistance: Good resistance to blackspot and powdery mildew
• Good for: Walls, fences, pergolas, cut flowers
• Sold as: Bare root (November–March) and potted plants
• Delivered: By next-day courier. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Compassion is a salmon-pink shading to apricot climbing Hybrid Tea with large, high-centred double blooms and strong, sweet fragrance. It repeat-flowers from June to October and reaches 300cm (10ft), making it one of the finest scented climbing roses ever introduced and a universally beloved choice for British gardens.

Compassion, the Climber That Defined a Generation

If you're looking for a climbing rose that combines classic Hybrid Tea elegance with genuine fragrance and proven reliability, Compassion is the answer. Bred by Harkness in 1972, it has become one of the most popular climbing roses in the UK for good reason. The high-centred blooms, that signature salmon-pink warming to apricot at the edges, and the rich, sweet scent simply don't disappoint. This is a rose that performs year after year, producing generous flushes of flowers throughout the summer and into autumn.

I recommend Compassion for walls, fences, and pergolas where you want both visual impact and fragrance. The flower form is distinctly Hybrid Tea—formal, structured, beautiful—which sets it apart from many other climbers that tend towards a looser, more informal style. Plant it where you'll walk past regularly so you can enjoy that scent properly. It's equally at home on a sunny south-facing wall or a more sheltered east or west-facing position, and it's tough enough to handle a little neglect once established.

The RHS Award of Garden Merit is well deserved. With good resistance to blackspot and powdery mildew, you're not signing up for a constant battle with disease. That said, good air circulation around the plant will always help keep it healthy, so don't plant it in a tight corner or too close to other plants.

Harkness Breeding Heritage and Proven Garden Performance

Harkness Roses has a long track record of producing garden-worthy varieties with real fragrance, and Compassion is a perfect example of their philosophy. Bred over fifty years ago now, it has had plenty of time to prove itself in gardens across the UK and beyond. The colour is particularly lovely—that salmon-pink base with warmer apricot tones is neither too orange nor too pale, making it easy to partner with other planting. The flowers are generously sized, often reaching 10cm across or more, and they'll cut well if you want to bring them indoors to enjoy the scent.

Repeat-flowering from June through to October means you're not waiting weeks between flushes. After the first generous spring flush, a little deadheading and feeding will encourage subsequent waves of bloom. The growth is vigorous but not ungovernable—300cm is substantial without being overwhelming for a typical garden fence or wall, and you can manage the height with careful pruning if needed.

Companion Plants for Scented Climbing Roses

To make the most of Compassion's fragrance and elegant flower form, partner it with complementary planting. Lavender beneath the climber adds soft purple and another scent layer, while catmint provides airy filler and repeat colour. For height and structure, try clematis varieties that flower in a different season, or underplant with hardy geraniums for groundcover without competition.

Why Buy Your Roses from Ashridge Nurseries

We grow all our roses on vigorous rootstock supplied by specialist growers, ensuring strong establishment and years of reliable flowering. Award winners including Which? Gardening Best Plant Supplier and Feefo Platinum Trusted Service. Explore our full climbing rose collection here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I grow Compassion on a north-facing wall?

Compassion prefers full sun to partial shade and will struggle on a consistently shaded north wall. East or west-facing is better if south isn't available. Read our climbing rose guide for aspect advice.

How often should I prune Compassion?

Prune after the first flush in summer, removing dead or crossing stems and shortening side shoots to 2–3 buds. In late winter, carry out a more thorough framework prune. See our climbing rose pruning guide.

Will Compassion flower in its first year?

Young plants need time to establish before heavy flowering. Your first year will see modest blooms; expect full performance from year two onwards as the plant matures and root system strengthens.

Is Compassion disease-prone?

No. Compassion has good natural resistance to blackspot and powdery mildew. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to minimise fungal issues. Our rose growing guide covers preventive care.

What's the best time to plant Compassion?

Bare root plants should go in November to March when dormant. Container-grown plants can be planted any time, but autumn and spring are ideal to establish before summer heat stress.