BBC Gardeners' World

Plant details

• Common Name: Floribunda rose
• Genus: Rosa
• Cultivar: 'Iceberg'
• Skill Level: beginner
• Exposure: full sun
• Hardiness: hardy
• Soil type: clay/heavy, moist, well-drained/light
• Height: 0.8m
• Spread: 0.65m
• Flowering period: July to October

Sometimes listed as 'Korbin', this is perhaps the best known white floribunda, introduced in 1958 and still very popular. The medium-sized, white blooms, starting from shapely pink-tinted buds, appear very freely almost all season. Plants make a fine hedge, but Iceberg is far more effective as a specimen shrub allowed to reach its full stature with light pruning. Keep it away from shade and competition to reduce the risk of disease. There is a climbing form which is very attractive, and it may also be grown as a standard or half-standard. As a floribunda rose, it should be pruned from late winter to early spring. Cut back the main stems to 25-45cm (10-18in) above the ground pruning to just above an outward-facing bud. Reduce sideshoots to two or three buds. Remove any spindly or diseased growth. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).