Climbing Iceberg Rose Bushes

• Variety: Climbing Iceberg
• Type: Climbing Floribunda
• Colour: Pure white, double, in generous clusters
• Fragrance: Slight
• Height: 350cm (12ft)
• Flowering: June to October, repeat-flowering
• Aspect: Sun or shade — one of the best climbing roses for a north-facing wall
• Support: Needs wires, trellis, or a pergola
• RHS AGM: Holds the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit
• Good for: Walls, fences, pergolas, cutting
• Sold as: Bare root (November–March) and potted plants
• Delivered: By next-day courier. Collection from Castle Cary also available

This is the climbing sport (version) of the most famous white rose in the world. Clusters of pure white double flowers from June, often into October, on a plant that grows to about 4 metres high by 2.5 metres wide (12 feet by 8 feet).

Climbing Iceberg, a Wall of White

Climbing Iceberg produces exactly the same flowers as those you see on an Iceberg bush rose. The difference is dimension. Climbing Iceberg is vertical, whilst Iceberg bushes are pretty much horizontal, staying somewhere around knee height. In terms of classification, this is a Floribunda. It carries clusters of flowers with anywhere from half a dozen to 20 blooms. In full flush, at the end of June, a well-grown plant can look almost like... a (small) iceberg. It cuts well and looks equally at home in a jam jar arrangement on a kitchen table or at a white wedding.

The Floribunda heritage shows in its flowering. The biggest show is from the end of June into July. Then you see it carrying flowers steadily through the summer until September, when it produces a second, albeit smaller, flush, which generally lasts into October. It holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit and has done so for nearly 70 years. That's simply because this is one of the best white climbing roses there is. It just works.

From Hamburg to Garden Wall via Colchester

Iceberg, grown as a bush, was first introduced by the German rose breeder Reimer Kordes in 1958. Over the next decade, it probably became the most widely planted white rose in the world. By the way, where David Austin roses are synonymous with scent and flower shape, Kordes roses are associated with disease resistance. Some time in the mid-sixties, a nurseryman at B.R. Cant and Sons in Colchester found that one of the Icebergs they had growing there had decided to start climbing.

They propagated it, called it 'Climbing Iceberg,' and it was released in 1968. Sports can revert back to the habits of their parent, but Climbing Iceberg has steadfastly refused to do that over well over 50 years.

Apart from carrying a mass of pure white flowers on a disease-resistant frame, one of this climbing rose's strengths is its ability to tolerate shade. Standard advice when planting a rose is to ensure it gets as much sun as possible. Here's one that will flower on a north wall. You won't get as many flowers as you do if it's in full sun, but you'll still get a good show.

Given a couple of years, Climbing Iceberg will also make a good host for one of the shade-tolerant clematis. If you want something even bigger, the other standout contender for a shade-tolerant rose is Madame Alfred Carrière.

Companion Plants for a Climbing White Rose

I'm tempted to say "anything you like," as of all the colours, white is the easiest to work with. I have mentioned clematis, so a deep purple Viticella like Étoile Violette, or my favourite clematis, Niobe, will give you real contrast. Lavender, especially one of the varieties with slightly more silver foliage, is a great underplanting, and you can plant alliums behind the lavender, which will give you a show in May.

Why Buy Your Climbing Roses from Ashridge Nurseries?

Every rose we sell is budded onto vigorous rootstock and grown for us by specialist growers. Winners of the Which? Best Plant Supplier award and the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award. See the full climbing rose range.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to prune Climbing Iceberg roses?

Climbing roses are best pruned in February or early March, before they come into growth. Cut out dead, weak, and damaged stems. Shorten sideshoots, tie in new growth, and keep the main framework — climbing roses flower on last season's wood. See our climbing rose pruning guide for full instructions.

Can I grow Climbing Iceberg on a north-facing wall?

This is the best white climbing rose for shade. It performs well at light levels which most climbers would consider akin to trying to grow in the dark.

What is the difference between climbing and bush Iceberg roses?

Same flowers, different size. Climbing Iceberg will reach four metres, while the bush version tops out at about 90 centimetres.

Is Climbing Iceberg scented?

Don't grow this for its scent. You might notice it on a warm day, but there are better choices for fragrance. See our scented roses for alternatives.

What is the best way to grow Climbing Iceberg?

Use training wires to keep the main stems as close to horizontal as possible, which encourages flowering along the full length of each branch. See our guide to growing climbing roses for more detail.