Rosa 'Fée des Neiges' (Iceberg) - Standard Rose

The 'Iceberg' Standard Rose (also known as Snow Fairy), with its bushy crown covered in white clusters for months, forms a small tree of rare elegance. Its roses open in slightly blurry cups with a yellow stamen centre, highlighted by beautiful green foliage. It has obtained the prestigious German ADR label and is highly resistant to the weather, although its disease resistance is sometimes lacking. It will be magnificent in the centre of a flowerbed, along a pathway, near the terrace.

Standard roses are a special type of rose plant that is created through a grafting process. This process involves taking a specific variety of rose, such as Iceberg, and attaching it to a single, upright stem of a different type of rose, either Rosa laxa or R. multiflora. The graft is done about 1 metre (3 feet) above the ground. If you live in a region with very cold winters, protecting the rootstock during this time may be beneficial.

The 'Iceberg' or 'Korbin' rose is classified in the floribunda rose group, with flowers grouped in clusters. It is an excellent creation from the German rose breeder Kordes and Sons, dating back to 1958. Grafted as a standard rose, it has a characteristic habit and reaches a height of about 1.80 m (6ft) with a spread of 80-90 cm (32-35in) (for the crown). The crown shows vigorous, bushy growth and a wide and upright habit. Flowering begins in May-June and continues until October in successive waves. It takes the form of clusters composed of 3 to 15 fusiform buds that quickly open into cups measuring 10 to 11 cm (4in) in diameter, with approximately 25 immaculate white petals. The centre is occupied by a bouquet of golden yellow stamens. Small pink spots may appear on the petals in cool weather. The roses emit a subtle fragrance.

The ADR is the label of the German Federation of Rose Breeders. The ADR designation is only granted to varieties that have passed the strictest tests in the world. The plants are tested simultaneously at ten locations in various soil and climate conditions for several years. The tests focus on hardiness, perennial nature, and flowering without the use of any pesticides.

The 'Iceberg' standard rose looks great when planted in a prominent position, in the centre of a flowerbed, among perennials or low-growing bushes, in a row along a pathway, near a terrace, or even in a large pot on a balcony. It can also be planted in groups of 3, arranged in a triangle, or as a standalone plant in a short grass meadow. It pairs well with perennial geraniums (Geranium Blue Cloud, Anne Folkard, Nimbus, Orion), bellflowers (lactiflora, rapunculoides), catmints, snapdragons, foxgloves... Standard roses are perfect for adding volume to bush or ground-cover rose beds. Their ideal companion is a creeping ceanothus with azure blue flowers.