Climbing Iceberg Rose Rosa 'Climbing Iceberg' (ClF)
ABOUT
The 'Climbing Iceberg' rose is a floribunda climber that is cherished for its abundant and long bloom season. It displays clusters of strikingly large, showy white flowers, which often have a slight hint of blush pink at the very earliest stage of the bud. The blooms are semi-double to double with a generous amount of petals, typical for roses, that open to reveal golden-yellow stamens at the center. These flowers exude a light, sweet fragrance. The Climbing Iceberg continuously produces these blooms from late spring until the first frosts of fall, making it a reliable choice for gardeners looking to enjoy flowers throughout the growing season. The foliage of the Climbing Iceberg is a bright, glossy green that contrasts the pristine white of the flowers. The leaves are typically pinnate, with several smaller leaflets per leaf, which is characteristic of rose plants. This climber is often used to cover walls, trellises, arches, or fences due to its climbing habit, and it is capable of producing numerous long, sturdy canes that support its flowering display. The overall visual effect of the Climbing Iceberg rose in full bloom is elegant and somewhat romantic, with its cascades of white flowers set against the lush green backdrop.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae.
Synonyms
Climbing Iceberg, Iceberg Climber, Climbing Floribunda Iceberg.
Common names
Rosa 'Climbing Iceberg'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Climbing Iceberg rose is not considered toxic to humans. It is generally regarded as safe, and there are no commonly reported symptoms of poisoning from ingesting parts of this plant. However, it's always good practice to avoid eating ornamental plants as a general safety precaution.
To pets
The Climbing Iceberg rose is also not considered toxic to pets. It is generally safe for pets, and there are no specific symptoms associated with poisoning because it is not known to be poisonous. However, ingestion of thorns could cause physical injury, and it is always advisable to monitor pets to prevent them from eating plant material that could cause mechanical harm.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters)
Spread
6-10 feet (1.8-3 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
6
Native area
Cultivar
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Adds aesthetic appeal to gardens with its abundant and recurrent blooming of white flowers.
- Vertical Interest: Ideal for trellises, arbors, and fences, enabling the exploitation of vertical spaces in the garden.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal pruning and care compared to some other rose varieties.
- Disease Resistance: Exhibits good resistance to common rose diseases, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, the plant has a degree of tolerance to dry conditions, needing less frequent watering.
- Versatility: Can be used in a variety of garden designs, from cottage to formal gardens.
- Fragrance: The flowers emit a light, pleasant scent that can enhance the sensory experience of a garden.
- Long Blooming Season: Provides flowers throughout the growing season, offering a sustained display of color.
- Wildlife Attraction: Can attract birds, bees, and butterflies, which contribute to pollination and increase biodiversity.
- Suitable for Containers: Can be grown in large pots or containers for those with limited garden space.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Creating natural fencing: The 'Climbing Iceberg' rose can be trained along fences to provide a living barrier that enhances privacy with floral beauty.
- Garnishing dishes: Petals from the 'Climbing Iceberg' rose can be used to add an elegant touch to salads and desserts, offering a soft, floral flavor and a decorative appeal.
- Floral art: The rose's long canes and abundant blooms are ideal for crafting intricate floral arrangements and large-scale floral art installations.
- Homemade potpourri: Dried petals from 'Climbing Iceberg' roses can be combined with other herbs and spices to create fragrant potpourri blends for the home.
- Bath infusions: Fresh or dried petals can be added to bathwater for a luxurious, rose-scented soak that is both relaxing and lightly fragrant.
- Photography backdrops: The dense flowering of 'Climbing Iceberg' roses provides a stunning, natural backdrop for outdoor portrait photography.
- Scented sachets: Dried petals can be placed in small pouches to create scented sachets that freshen drawers and closets.
- Eco-friendly confetti: Small, biodegradable petal pieces from the 'Climbing Iceberg' rose can serve as an environmentally friendly confetti option for celebrations.
- Handmade paper: Petals can be incorporated into the pulp for making paper, creating distinctive, textured, and fragrant handmade paper products.
- Culinary syrups: The petals can be infused into syrups, lending a subtle rose flavor to cocktails, lemonades, and baked goods.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Climbing Rose is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Climbing Rose is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love: The rose is universally recognized as a symbol of love, affection, and deep emotional connections.
- Purity: The white color of the 'Climbing Iceberg' rose signifies purity, innocence, and reverence, often used in weddings and religious ceremonies.
- Beauty: Roses are widely admired for their beauty and form, representing the ideal and perfection in various cultures.
- Balancing Contrasts: The climbing nature of this rose might suggest the balance between reaching for the heights (aspiration) and staying grounded in roots (heritage).
- New Beginnings: As a plant that can grow and bloom anew each year, roses can symbolize renewal and the start of a new chapter in life.
- Achievement: The growth pattern of climbing roses often signifies overcoming obstacles and reaching success despite challenges.
- Eternal Love: The perennial nature of roses can represent enduring love that survives beyond a single season or circumstance.
WaterClimbing Iceberg roses should be watered deeply once a week, providing about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water for each plant to ensure the soil is moistened to a depth of about 12 to 18 inches. During the hot summer months or in especially dry conditions, watering frequency may need to increase to twice per week. It is important to avoid overhead watering to prevent foliar diseases; instead, water at the base of the plant. Always allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again to prevent overwatering and root rot.
LightClimbing Iceberg roses thrive in full sunlight, needing at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. The best spot for these roses is an area where they receive morning sunlight, which helps dry the dew on leaves, reducing the risk of disease. Partial shade is tolerable but may impact the abundance of blooms and overall health.
TemperatureClimbing Iceberg roses prefer a temperature range between 65°F to 75°F for optimal growth but can handle temperatures well down to about 20°F. They can survive short periods of higher temperatures but may exhibit signs of heat stress if temperatures consistently exceed 90°F. It's beneficial to protect them from cold, harsh winds for winter survival.
PruningPruning Climbing Iceberg roses helps maintain their shape, encourage new growth, and improve air circulation to reduce disease risk. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts, cutting away any dead or diseased wood and thinning overcrowded areas. Main canes should be pruned lightly just to shape the plant, but lateral branches can be cut back by one-third to one-half. The best time for major pruning is when the plant is dormant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilClimbing Iceberg roses thrive in rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 5.5 to 7.0. A mix of one-third topsoil, one-third compost or well-rotted manure, and one-third coarse sand or perlite would make an ideal medium for this rose.
RepottingClimbing Iceberg roses, being hardy climbers, do not typically need repotting as they are usually planted directly in the ground. In the rare case they are container-grown, repotting every 2 to 4 years may be required to refresh the soil.
Humidity & MistingClimbing Iceberg roses are adaptable to a range of outdoor humidity levels as long as proper care and adequate air circulation are provided.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Grow Climbing Iceberg roses in large containers with ample light.
Outdoor
Plant in sunny area, provide sturdy support, and mulch well.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleThe Climbing Iceberg Rose starts its life cycle when a seed germinates in spring or when a stem cutting roots, developing into a young plant with a basic root system and foliage. As it enters the vegetative stage, the plant focuses on leaf growth and developing a stronger root system to support future blooms; this occurs in the first growing season or two, depending on the initial propagation method. It then progresses to the flowering stage, typically from late spring to early fall, where it produces clusters of fragrant white or pale pink blooms that continue to flourish in repeating cycles throughout the growing season. As fall approaches, the rose will slow its growth and prepare for dormancy, where in colder climates, it may shed leaves and will require protection to withstand the winter. With the arrival of spring, the rose will break dormancy, initiating a new cycle of growth and flowering, bringing about new shoots, leaves, and flowers. The Climbing Iceberg Rose will repeat this annual cycle throughout its lifespan, which can span multiple decades if provided with proper care and conditions.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to summer
The Climbing Iceberg Rose is commonly propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings. This method tends to be most successful when performed in late summer or early fall, once the growth of the current season has started to mature but is not fully hardened. For propagation, a cutting of about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) long should be taken from a healthy part of the plant. The lower leaves are removed, and the base of the cutting is dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. Then, the cutting is placed in a pot filled with a mixture of potting soil and perlite, ensuring that at least two to three nodes are buried where leaf joints are present, as this is where roots are most likely to form. The soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged, and the cutting should be placed in a warm, bright area but out of direct sunlight to avoid scorching. Over the weeks, roots will develop and a new Climbing Iceberg Rose plant will begin to grow.
