EASY DOES IT – orange bedding Floribunda rose – Harkness & Harkness
The richly ruffled blooms of EASY DOES IT bring colour, movement and relaxed cottage-garden charm to everyday family plots without demanding expert care. Bred for reliability, this bushy floribunda flowers in generous clusters, repeating freely from early summer well into autumn, with a medium, softly fruity fragrance that works beautifully near paths, patios and front doors. Its dense, glossy foliage and strong disease resistance keep plantings looking neat even in wetter, wind-exposed districts where roses can struggle, while good heat and drought tolerance support steady performance through variable British summers. As an own-root shrub it establishes securely and can regenerate from the base for a naturally long lifespan. In a typical garden you can expect roots to settle in the first year, strong new shoots to build shape in the second, and full ornamental value by the third, giving you a dependable, easy-going centrepiece for mixed borders, beds and larger containers.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Front garden focal bed |
The vibrant mango-orange to peach-pink flowers with their ruffled petals give instant kerb appeal, echoing classic British front gardens. Planted as a small group, they create a coherent, eye-catching block of colour with minimal fuss for appearance-focused beginners and homeowners. |
| Low-maintenance family rose border |
This variety combines strong resistance to black spot, mildew and rust with good heat and moderate drought tolerance, so routine care is limited mainly to watering in dry spells and a simple annual prune. It suits busy households wanting reliable flowering and a tidy look for urbanites. |
| Season-long flowering accent near seating |
Remontant flowering with a particularly plentiful second flush keeps colour returning from early summer onwards, ideal beside patios where you will notice every new wave of bloom. The medium, fruity scent adds another layer of enjoyment for relaxed garden users and beginners. |
| Cottage-style mixed planting |
The upright, bushy habit and dense mid-green foliage weave easily among perennials and small shrubs, while the warm colour range blends with soft blues, creams and purples. Own-root growth gives a stable shape over time, suiting classic cottage schemes and enthusiasts. |
| Small ornamental hedge or row |
Regular spacing at about 55 cm creates a low, informal hedge with overlapping canopies and good coverage at eye level. The consistent habit and foliage density deliver a visually continuous line, ideal for framing paths or driveways for style-conscious but time-poor gardeners. |
| Specimen shrub in a feature bed |
At 90–130 cm high with a 70–110 cm spread, this rose is substantial enough to stand alone without dominating a small garden. The changing flower tones as blooms mature provide interest for months, suiting focal positions chosen by design-led but practical owners. |
| Large container on terrace or balcony |
Its upright, bushy form works well in a 40–50 litre or larger container, where dense foliage and repeat flowering give a long season of colour close to the house. Own-root resilience supports long-term pot culture, appealing to space-limited and balcony-focused residents. |
| Roses for challenging, exposed plots |
Good performance in heat, tolerance of moderate drought and strong disease resistance make it a reliable option for sites where wind-driven rain and variable weather test more sensitive roses, offering reassurance and dependable results to cautious first-time rose buyers. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage Contrast – Combine with soft blue nepeta and lavender to offset the warm mango-orange blooms, creating a relaxed cottage border – ideal for lovers of traditional British front gardens.
- Patio Showcase – Plant one shrub in a 50–60 litre terracotta pot with trailing thyme at the rim so repeat blooms and scent greet you at the door – suited to busy urban homeowners.
- Sunset Ribbon – Use a loose row along a front path, underplanting with low evergreen groundcover to highlight its structured habit – perfect for those wanting tidy, impact-full access routes.
- Family Focal – Place a small group of three in the centre of a lawn island bed, surrounding them with easy perennials like hardy geraniums – good for families seeking a simple, reliable showpiece.
- Textured Tapestry – Mix with compact conifers and small ornamental grasses so the dense, glossy foliage and ruffled flowers pop against contrasting textures – attractive to design-conscious beginners.
Technical cultivar profile
| Characteristic | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Floribunda bedding rose, registered as HARpageant; marketed as Easy Does It, Masterpiece Collection. ARS exhibition name Easy Does It™. Belongs to both Floribunda and Hybrid Tea rose groups. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred in the United Kingdom in 2006 by Robert and Philip Harkness from (‘Queen Charlotte’ × ‘Della Balfour’) × ‘Baby Love’. Introduced in 2010 via Weeks Wholesale Rose Grower, USA. |
| Awards and recognition |
All-America Rose Selections (AARS) winner 2010, reflecting proven performance, ornamental value and garden reliability under varied North American trial conditions and typical amateur care levels. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Vigorous, bushy, upright shrub reaching around 90–130 cm high and 70–110 cm wide. Dense, glossy mid-green foliage with moderate prickliness; forms a well-branched, full-bodied garden rose. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double, cup-shaped blooms with 26–39 petals, typically in clusters. Classified as L size (about 2.75–3.95 inches). Remontant with an especially abundant second flush of flowers. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Vibrant mango-orange base with peach-pink, honey-peach and creamy tones; ARS OB, RHS 33A outer, 30C inner. Buds fire-orange, ageing through peach to soft pink as blooms mature and gradually fade. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Medium-strength, noticeable fragrance with a softly fruity character. Best appreciated near seating areas or paths where air movement carries the scent, enhancing daily garden use without overpowering. |
| Hip characteristics |
Very double flowers limit hip formation, though occasional small spherical red hips 10–14 mm may appear. Hip display is generally modest and not a primary ornamental feature of this cultivar. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated H7, hardy approximately to −26 to −23 °C (USDA 5b, Swedish zone 4). Demonstrates resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust, plus good heat and moderate drought tolerance. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited to beds, specimen planting, hedging and large pots. Prefers well-drained soil with regular feeding. Low maintenance; light annual pruning and occasional deadheading sustain flowering and shape. |
EASY DOES IT offers vivid, long-season colour, reliable disease resistance and a bushy, own-root form that settles in for years of easy enjoyment, making it a thoughtful choice if you want dependable roses without complex care.
