Rosa 'KORbin'

Iceberg Rose

Rosaceae

Of garden origin; no wild distribution

Attracts Pollinators Fragrant (light)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Rosa 'KORbin', sold under the trade name Iceberg, is a floribunda rose introduced by Kordes in 1958, forming a rounded, bushy plant 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) tall and 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 m) wide. Slender, nearly thornless canes carry light green semi-glossy leaflets and hold flowers in large clusters. The pure white blooms are semi-double, about 2.5-3 inches (6-8 cm) across with 25-30 petals, sometimes flushed pink in cool weather. A light honey scent rises from the open clusters. Bloom repeats heavily from late spring until frost, with little pause between flushes. The thin canes can arch under heavy bloom, and in humid climates the foliage develops black spot that thins leaf cover by late summer. Spent flowers hold on the plant and benefit from removal to keep the display clean. The plant grows in full sun to light afternoon shade and tolerates a range of garden soils. Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, it withstands heat and cold across that range with little winter protection. The rounded habit and steady bloom suit hedging and mass planting.

Native Range

Rosa 'KORbin' is a hybrid of garden origin, bred by Kordes in Germany and released in 1958, with no wild distribution. The genus Rosa spp. is native to temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

Suggested Uses

Used as a flowering hedge spaced 30-36 inches (75-90 cm) apart, in mass plantings, and in mixed borders. The bushy habit also grows as a standard tree-form rose. Plants suit containers of 7 gallons (26 L) or larger.

How to Identify

Recognize Iceberg by its rounded, bushy floribunda habit at 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) with slender, nearly thornless canes. The leaves are pinnately compound with 5-7 light green, semi-glossy leaflets. Pure white, semi-double flowers about 2.5-3 inches (6-8 cm) across cluster at the cane tips, sometimes flushing pink in cool weather. The thornless stems and large white clusters separate it from most other white roses.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 5'

Width/Spread3' - 4'

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~22 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Bloom opens in late spring and repeats almost without pause until the first frost. Clusters carry many flowers at once, each lasting several days. In mild-winter regions scattered bloom can continue into early winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Light green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to light afternoon shade in moisture-retentive, well-drained soil near pH 6.0-7.0. Water deeply through the first season, then weekly in dry spells once established. Feed with a balanced rose fertilizer in early spring and after the first flush. A 2-3 inch (5-8 cm) mulch layer conserves moisture and steadies soil temperature. Space plants 30-36 inches (75-90 cm) apart to keep air moving and limit black spot in humid climates. Little winter protection is needed within the hardiness range.

Pruning

Prune in early spring, cutting canes back by about one-third and removing thin, dead, or crossing growth to shape the bush. Take out the oldest canes at the base every few years to renew the plant. Shearing spent clusters through summer keeps the bloom display continuous.

Pruning Schedule

early spring