Iceberg rose
Rosa 'Korbin'
Iceberg rose (Rosa 'Korbin') is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 3–5 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun. A workhorse floribunda smothered in pure-white clusters from June to frost, more forgiving than a hybrid tea. A hard, dry Front Range winter can still knock it back, so mulch the base.
On the CSU listmedium water3–5 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide
Photos
- Photo 1: Stan Shebs, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 2: Krzysztof Golik, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–9
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- low
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 3–5 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~4 ft apart (3 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer, late summer, early fall
- Bloom color
- white
- Bloom length
- Reblooms
- Foliage
- Deciduous
What it will do to your yard
- Hedge use
- Informal hedge or screen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Things to know before you plant
- ThornyIt is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas.
Common problems on the Front Range
- Aphids
- Blackspot and powdery mildew
- Japanese beetle
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Give it deep, regular water the first two seasons and steady moisture after; mulch to keep the roots cool and moist.
- Pruning: moderate.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Iceberg rose good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Iceberg rose is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Iceberg rose?
- The main things to know: It is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas.
- How big does Iceberg rose get?
- It matures to about 3–5 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Iceberg rose?
- Space Iceberg rose about 4 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 3 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Iceberg rose hardy on the Front Range?
- Iceberg rose is hardy in USDA 5–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.
- How much water does Iceberg rose need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Iceberg rose grow?
- Iceberg rose is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Iceberg rose native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Iceberg rose deer-resistant?
- No. Iceberg rose is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Iceberg rose prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Iceberg rose can be affected by aphids and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
- Is Iceberg rose a good hedge plant?
- Yes, as an informal hedge. Iceberg rose works best as a relaxed hedge or screen kept to its natural form rather than sheared into a tight box.
- How long does Iceberg rose bloom?
- Iceberg rose reblooms through the season, especially if you deadhead spent flowers on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
