Kathleen Harrop

Kathleen Harrop, Dickson II 1919

Sport of Zepherine Drouhin, Bourbon climber

Kathleen Harrop is the light pink sport of the much more widely grown Zepherine.

In my opinion she's more beautiful as I love this silvery pink color for roses but Zepherine stands out more.

In every other aspect she's the same as her parent.

Just like Peace climbing you got to have patience. The best way to deal with her the first three years is to ignore her. Feed her, mulch her but don't prune her, let her go. Because of the China influence in Bourbon roses many don't like hard pruning. Even Mme Isaac Pereire wants to be left alone the first four years.

Kathleen is at her best when she can crawl over something.. let's say a pile of wood like cut garden branches. She will cover it with a cape of thin branches and they will be magnificent when in bloom. Kathleen repeats quite good so it's a whole summer of pleasure. Give her a hot spot with some air movement. Strangely enough she does good on an Eastern or Northern wall but make sure it isn't windy.

Her fragrance is legendary, like sweet candy.

She's equally good for a pergola, a Pilar and you can peg her down to the ground.

I know she can get mildew but mildew is hardly an illness, she outgrows it and it doesn't damage her. It's a first class romantic garden rose. Give her time and she will reward you for decades