Iceberg Floribunda, pure white?

Hello,

I planted a bare root Iceberg Floribunda last December, when I mixed the soil with enough compost, scion union at ground level and in spring put a very generous layer of reasonably rotted manure on the top of the soil. The rose bush looks stunning but the flowers were not snow white as I expected. Depending at which angle I looked at them, they looked more white with the sun reflecting on them but less white on a cloudy day where they looked more like a very soft peach or yellowish/pinkish white (picture below). Should this be the case?

Another question, all articles I've read suggest to plant the grafted scion union just below ground level. However, if it's not a mistake, the RHS seems to give a different bit of advice, to do it just above ground level. So I planted mine with the scion union just at ground level, so that I can slightly adjust the earth level if needed. Personally I think if the scion union is just above ground level, like a grafted fruit tree, it will prevent the scion from developing roots in the earth and prevent diseases. Have I done the right thing?

Thank you.

 

I'm not so sure you have a 'pure' Iceberg there @PrunusB95. I also have the floribunda form below. The first flowers of the season are as near pure white as possible. With successive flowering later in the season they do tend to develop a slight tinge of colour, but mine hasn't shown the peachiness of yours.







I would treat the scion exactly the same way as a graft and plant above ground. It will take some time to develop substantial roots. If you plant it below ground then the rose could possibly throw up suckers.

 

Thanks for your reply @Sheal. I was a bit confused as to why some 'websites' advertised them as 'pure white' while others with 'pink buds' or even as 'white/cream'.

If I could have 'pure white' flowers, I would consider replacing the one I have. So I rung a couple of local garden centers to see if they were selling them. Upon my request they don't seem to guarantee that the flowers would be pure white. I was told certain attributes could have a slight effect on the flower colour such as the soil PH level, the rain or even but very occasionally the rootstock. I would have thought the name Iceberg meant like white snow...

Or maybe real Iceberg Floribunda Roses are a little harder to find? Yours look like a true white, with white buds.

 

My roses grow in sandy soil, not the best for roses but I feed them three times during the growing season. Your rose will probably be from a different stock to mine which is why it has a slightly different colour.

If you want to risk trying again from a different nursery this is where mine came from but no guarantee of course. It will also be cheaper to buy a bare rooted rose and they will be for sale late autumn.

http://www.cantsroses.co.uk/

 

I will be going to a garden center nearby over the weekend and one of the staff have put one with buds aside for me to look at. So hopefully some of the flowers would have opened up by then. I think it's best if I can see one still in bloom first, though it's nearly the end of the season. Failing that I may decide to keep mine, or unless I see one next year and can't resist.

I went to my local GC a month ago and all their white roses had a blush on them. But I've got a couple of Philadelphus Virginal Mock Orange with pure white double flowers that last just over a month which partially make up for it. Thanks for the link .

 

Thank your for your reply @wiseowl. Though no longer in flower, I have been thinking the light shades of soft peach or yellowish/pinkish white make it in fact a very attractive rose, therefore I have decided I will definitely keep it. What I might do is if I find one with pure white flowers, take a chance on the colour and plant it close to it for next season's bloom. My soil PH is 7 (neutral/alkaline). What I know is I mixed the earth with loads of home made compost and when it flowered blessed it with probably too much horse manure perhaps. It's in part shade but still can get a good 8 hours of direct sunlight on sunny days in the summer.

Interestingly my two direct neighbours have white roses, whiter than mine, mostly in part shade, their bud union seem to be beneath soil level and they don't get the needed TLC they should require.

Nice picture of an Iceberg Floribunda on you blog.

 

Ooh just looking to purchase a climbing iceberg so glad I came across this.

Not sure which supplier to get it from. 1 bare root from david austin is £15.99 but you can get 3 for 9.99 from j parkers.

Buy Rose Climbing Icerberg | J Parker Dutch Bulbs

Are j parkers a no-no or is it worth a try? Any thoughts from the pro-rose gardeners?

 

Thanks @wiseowl I'll def get it from David Austin.

 

Think there might be one of they in my mate's new garden, didn't burn that one

 

Wotcha Woo. My mate's Dad is a lifelong nurseryman, he spotted it even without the flowers on.

I said it's huge for a lettuce

 

Just wondering how long these roses can live for? Had a chat with my grandma the other day and she says she actually has my great grandads iceberg climber in her garden (although its not doing too well). I'd love to get a cutting from it for my garden.

Also...:planning on putting my climber in a pot...

A) would it do ok in a pot
B) would 1 or 2 roses be best here

C) would this size trough be ok? As it will match my others around the house...


Terrazzo Effect Garden Trough - Black | Homebase