Rose
Iceberg Floribunda Rose
Rosa 'Korbin' (ICEBERG) · Rosaceae
Also called: Iceberg, Fee des Neiges, Schneewittchen
Iceberg Floribunda Rose (Rosa 'Korbin' (ICEBERG)) is a moderate-water rose well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It thrives in full sun, with a fast growth rate.
Iceberg Floribunda Rose at a glance
- Water use
- Moderate (established)
- Sun
- Full sun (6+ hrs); in Tucson, morning sun with light afternoon shade in summer reduces bloom scorch and gives best flowering
- Mature size
- 3-5 ft tall x 3-4 ft wide (shrub form); climbing sport reaches 8-12 ft
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Bloom
- Pure white (occasional pale pink blush in cool weather), Heaviest bloom March-June and October-February; nearly everblooming in mild spells, slows in summer heat
- Cold hardiness
- USDA 5-9; fully cold-hardy in Tucson 9a-9b. Hardy through normal low-desert frosts; tender new growth may show minor tip burn in hard freezes.
- Soil
- Tolerant but prefers amended, well-drained loam; in Tucson amend native alkaline/caliche soil with compost and ensure good drainage
- Native range
- Cultivar bred by Kordes, Germany, 1958; genus Rosa native to the Northern Hemisphere
- Best used as
- Mass flowering shrub, Hedge/border, Cut flowers, Landscape color
- Wildlife
- Flowers attract bees and other pollinators
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic to dogs, cats, and humans; thorns can scratch
How to grow Iceberg Floribunda Rose in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Deep-water established plants to 2-3 ft: about once a week in winter, 2-3 times a week in spring/fall, and 3-4 times a week (occasionally daily) in summer heat. Use drip or basin irrigation, never let the root zone dry out fully.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Heavy feeder needing nitrogen and phosphorus. Apply a slow-release rose food every 6 weeks starting after Jan/Feb pruning through June; pause or use half-strength July-Aug, then resume in September. Supplement with iron/chelated micronutrients for chlorosis in alkaline soil.
Pruning & care
Hard prune in January-February to an open vase of 4-6 healthy canes; seal cuts with white glue to deter cane borers. Deadhead to the first 5-leaflet set through the season; in peak summer leave more foliage to shade canes.
Notes
One of the most reliable, disease-resistant floribundas for the low desert; blooms longer into summer than most. Highly recommended on Arizona heat-tolerant rose lists. Manage aphids and spider mites with forceful morning water sprays.
Sources: https://extension.arizona.edu/publication/rose-care-low-desert; https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=252207; https://johndenson.com/roses/best-roses-for-arizona/