| Rosa Iceberg | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Hybrid parentage | Rosa hybrid 'Robin Hood' x 'Virgo' |
| Cultivar | Iceberg |
| Origin | Bred by W. Kordes & Sons, Germany, 1958. |
Iceberg is a floribunda rose cultivar that was bred in Germany in 1958. It is also known by the names 'Korbin' (the registered cultivar name), Fée des Neiges and Schneewittchen.[1] It is among the world's best known roses.[2]
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Iceberg is a modern cluster-flowered floribunda rose cultivar.[3] The cultivar is commercially available in two main forms. These are as a tall bush and a standard rose produced by grafting.[4] Weeping and climbing forms are also available.[5] Shrub forms of the cultivar have an upright habit and are 75 to 150 cm wide high and 60 cm wide. Leaves are light green and glossy.[1] Blooms are about 5 cm in diameter and have 25 to 35 petals. Buds are long and pointed. The fragrant flowers usually appear throughout the year.[4]
The cultivar was developed by prolific German rose breeder Reimer Kordes in Germany in 1958. He and his father Wilhelm had initially specialised in developing bush roses that were suitable for small gardens.[2] The parent varieties of Iceberg are 'Robin Hood', a red hybrid musk rose, developed by Joseph Pemberton in 1927 in England, and 'Virgo', a white hybrid-tea rose bred in France by Charles Mallerin in 1927.[1][6]
The plant was registered under the cultivar name 'KORbin' by Kordes in 1958 and given the trade name Schneewittchen.[1] The cultivar is known as Fée des Neiges in French and Iceberg in English.[1]
In 1958 Iceberg was awarded a Royal National Rose Society Gold Medal.[7] The cultivar was selected as the "World Favourite Rose" of 1983 by the World Federation of Rose Societies and is listed in their "Rose Hall of Fame".[8]
Stamps depicting the cultivar were issued in Romania in 1970 and New Zealand in 1975.[9]
A number of sports of Iceberg have been developed:
Because of its positive qualities, Iceberg was an important parent of the English Roses bred by David Austin and others: 1983 – 'Graham Thomas' and 'Perdita'; 1984 – 'Belle Story', 'Dove' and 'Heritage'; 1985 – 'Emanuel'; 1986 – 'Claire Rose', 'English Garden' and 'Swan'.
Although plants are generally disease free, they may suffer from black spot in more humid climates or in situations where air circulation is limited.[5] Plants tolerate shade, though they perform best in full sun. In North America they are able to be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 4b and higher.[1] In Australia, plants are suited to all but northern tropical areas.[4] The hardiness and popularity of the cultivar have seen its widespread use in cultivation across the world, occasionally leading to claims that it is "overdone" as a garden plant.[6]
The blooms are suited for use as cut flowers.[1] Both the shrub form and grafted standard may be grown in large containers.[5]