Pink Iceberg Roses
The white ‘Iceberg’ rose has been one of the most popular of all garden roses since it was bred by Reimer Kordes in Germany in 1958. It is popular as it is easy to grow, disease free and flowers for many months of the year. It has clusters of white flowers with a light fragrance.
It can be grown in the garden as a tall shrub or grafted as a standard. There is also a true climbing form, ‘Climbing Iceberg’.
In 1991 a pink sport of ‘Iceberg’ was discovered in a garden in Tasmania. It has been named ‘Pink Iceberg’. It has soft pink flowers which fade to white with age. The clusters of flowers are open in shape with gold stamens. It is disease resistant and vigorous. The flower has a soft, light apple-rose perfume.
‘Pink Iceberg’ is being grown and distributed by Swane’s Nursery in New South Wales (see below for details). Swane’s is also marketing the rose overseas.
Climate
‘Pink Iceberg’ will grow in all parts of Australia (though, like all roses is difficult to manage in hot tropical regions). Flower colour will not be as intense in hot climates.
Further information
‘Pink Iceberg’ are available from Swane’s Nursery, garden centres around Australia and some chain-stores as:
Standards (a ball on a stick). Cost: $49.95 (sold as tree roses).
20cm (8″) pots. Cost: around $20.
The roses shown on our segment were supplied by Swane’s Nursery at 490 Galston Road, Dural, NSW, 2154, a specialist rose grower and a general retail nursery. Contact the nursery direct for more information or to obtain a Swane’s rose catalogue. Phone: (02) 9651 1322.
What is a sport?
A sport is a term used in horticulture to describe the way some plants grow just one branch or segment which is different from the original plant. Usually the sport has flowers which are differently coloured from those of the original plant. Some sports are recognised and recur (for example particularly in azaleas and camellias), others are seen only once but can be propagated to give a new variety, as has been the case of ‘Pink Iceberg’.