I've grown Kathleen Ferrier for three years now. It is a mannerly shrub growing to about 4 ft high by 4-5 ft wide - with a slightly spreading habit. There is a very heavy bloom in spring. If you are lucky there will be a second bloom in early summer. In this environment this variety acts like a once bloomer.

The flowers are very nice and come in quantity during the spring - covering the bush. The fragrance is very good. The foliage is large, dark, slightly glossy and has never seen disease despite relative neglect. It stands up to the heat like a trooper - weathering last year's record heat with no water at all during the month of August.

It produces large quantities of fertile pollen, and sets seed. Germination rate is relatively low. It tends to pass on it's great foliage, heat tolerance and good constitution, but also its tendency to bloom primarily in the spring.