Rose Kathleen Harrop

‘Kathleen Harrop’ is a delicate and refined sport (natural mutation) of the famous Bourbon climbing rose ‘Zephirine Drouhin’, distinguished by its softer coloration and slightly reduced vigor. This elegant variety retains many of its parent’s most admired qualities - nearly prickless canes, excellent repeat flowering, and notable fragrance - while presenting a more subtle, silvery-pink floral palette.

The buds are long, pointed, and pink, often marked with darker streaks. As they open, they form large flowers measuring 8 - 10 cm (3.1 - 3.9 inches) in diameter. The blooms are cup-shaped at first, gradually becoming loose and informally shaped as flowering continues. Flowers are double, carrying about 9 - 16 or more petals. Their color is a delicate silvery pink, reminiscent of a seashell, with the reverse of the petals displaying a slightly deeper tone.

The fragrance is moderately strong and rich, evoking the character of old Bourbon roses with distinct fruity notes. Flowering begins early in the season and repeats in successive waves throughout the growing period. Regular deadheading is recommended to encourage continuous rebloom.

The plant forms a tall, sprawling, climbing shrub with long, arching, flexible shoots that are almost entirely prickless and well furnished with foliage. At maturity, it reaches about 250 - 300 cm (8.2 - 9.8 feet) in height and about 150 - 180 cm (5 - 6 feet) in width. The foliage is matte green, soft-textured, and tender rather than leathery, which contributes to its graceful appearance but also makes it susceptible to disease.

‘Kathleen Harrop’ is shade-tolerant and performs well when grown against walls, fences, and garden structures, including pillars, arches, obelisks, and arbors, where its softly nodding flowers can be fully appreciated. It may also be grown as a large shrub or a modest climber, integrating beautifully into romantic landscape compositions.

Hardy in climates similar to USDA zones 5b - 10b, this rose is sufficiently frost-resistant, though winter protection is beneficial in colder climates. Disease resistance is weak, with susceptibility to powdery mildew and black spot, making preventive treatments and good air circulation essential. The rose responds best to nutrient-rich soils and regular applications of liquid fertilizer. With attentive care, it rewards the gardener with an abundance of softly colored, fragrant blooms throughout the season.

Unfortunately we do not have information about the origin of the name of this rose.

A light pink sport of the Bourbon climbing rose ‘Zephirine Drouhin’ (Bizot, 1868).

USDA 5