Membership:
Join Us!
Newsletter sample

Upcoming Events:
Programs
Directions to MAGC

Rose Culture:
Diseases
Fertilizing
Garden Good/Bad Guys
Great Roses
Planting
Pruning
Watering
Annual Rose Care
Monthly Rose Care
Rose of the Month

Rose Purchasing:
Buying Roses
Mail Order Sources

Rose Shows:
Latest Show Results
Previous Rose Shows
MRS Trophies

Misc:
Poet's Corner
Rose Books
Join the ARS
What's New?
Rosey Links
Site Map

Gray squirrels busily gathered plump acorns as browning elm leaves swirled across the Marin Art & Garden lawn; our Rose Garden now in the lengthening shadows of an Indian summer afternoon. I had come for inspiration for our last Rose of the Month column of 2004. The difficulty is not to be influenced by favoritism or personal bias, or to pick a rose with unique attributes, but impossible to grow. My choice wasn’t all that difficult. I settled comfortably on Iceberg.

The German hybridizer Kordes has given the rose world numerous world-class roses but none can compare with Iceberg, which he introduced in 1958, almost fifty years ago. As Shakespeare reminds us, “ That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” So too it is with Iceberg. The Germans call it Schneewittchen and the French, Fee des Neiges. To make matters even more confusing, in 1901 the French hybridizer Lamberts introduced a white polyantha named Schneewittchen. But don’t worry, just ask for Iceberg. Everyone will know what you mean.

Iceberg received the well deserved, World’s Most favorite Rose” designation in 1983. For a half a century Iceberg has been one of the most popular and widely grown roses. In 1968 a climbing Iceberg was brought to market, which has greatly added to its universal appeal and varied uses. Iceberg is classified as a floribunda but actually is a cross of a Hybrid Musk (Robert Robin) and a Hybrid Tea (Virgo).

Iceberg is a tall bush with clean light greens leaves and covers itself almost constantly with cluster flowers of stark white blooms, and cool weather brings an alluring touch of pale pink. In warmer climates, Iceberg is known to bloom year round. The flowers are long lasting, both in the garden and when cut. All this, plus a good fragrance, extremely healthy and virtually disease resistant. Iceberg also can tolerate shade extremely well. Against my admonitions, Janet planted a half dozen along a shady border. Much to my surprise, and her delight, they have simply thrived there. A touch of mildew from time to time and perhaps a hint of blackspot might be all that holds Iceberg back from a perfect “10” rating.

In our garden we use climbing Iceberg on arbors, trellis, and gates. Its serves as a six-foot high border along a shady walkway, and stands proudly and productively as a bush. I stopped to count. My goodness, we have eighteen Icebergs and love them all.

Iceberg: A rose for all reasons, a rose for all Seasons.