Iceberg Roses

Iceberg Roses are floribunda climbers and one of the oldest of all of the roses. It made its first appearance in 1958. The original iceberg rose was a brilliant white and they are still available, but breeders have also created a pink and a burgundy version and any two of them together, each one climbing on its own trellis or over an arbor, one starting on one side and the other on the opposite side would make any gardener proud. Think of how it would look trained as a low hedge with all three growing together. Or trailing over a picket or split-rail fence.

Iceberg roses grow from 1 to 5 feet tall and 1 to 4 feet wide. The plant features dark green leaves and double, fragrant flowers growing in the clusters that is a feature of all floribunda roses. The flowers will bloom from mid spring to mid autumn. Plant Iceberg roses in full sun and a sandy loam, moist soil. The plant will do well in soil that has a little bit of clay, but not one that is saturated with it. Roses need time to establish themselves before they produce a good crop of flowers. They need to concentrate most of their energy into growing roots and good, strong stems. Give the plant a couple of years and you will get your reward.

Iceberg rose does not need a lot of care. Gardeners in zone 4 should give the plant a good 12 inch thick organic mulch to protect the roots for the winter. Cut new plants down to about six inches for the winter. Remove any dead or diseased branches from older plants and cut the rest back to about three feet. Do this either after the flowers are gone or in the spring before the new growth begins.

Roses do love their water , so give the plant about two gallons of water a week during the growing season. Then once a month until the end of July. Be sure to bottom water the plants. Getting the leaves wet gives fungi a place to breed. Give them a good organic or commercial rose fertilizer. Remove the dead flowers so new owns will grow.

Insects like roses as much a people do and you do need to keep an eye out for spider mites, aphids and Japanese beetles. Spraying with horticultural oil or liquid soap and water will take care of the first too. The Japanese beetles are larger and easy to see and can be just picked off the plant.

Sources:

Gardening Central

Moosey Country Gardens

Backyard Gardener