Do White Iceberg Roses Grow in Florida?

"Iceberg" (Rosa "Iceberg") is a classic white-flowered floribunda rose, hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. It produces clusters or sprays of double, cup-shaped blooms throughout the growing season. The state of Florida encompasses seven USDA plant hardiness zones, from 8a through 11a. Therefore, "Iceberg" is hardy in four of them -- 8a through 9b. Generally this means that "Iceberg" will thrive in the central and northern parts of the state.

The American Horticultural Society publishes a proprietary Heat-Zone Map, which assigns hardiness zones according to the average number of days per year when temperatures rise above 86 degrees Fahrenheit. "Iceberg" is hardy in AHS heat zones 9 through 5. According to the AHS map, most of northern Florida is in heat zone 9, while central and southern Florida are in hotter zones, denoted by higher heat zone numbers. Combining both USDA plant hardiness information and AHS heat zone data, "Iceberg" has the best chance for optimal health and success in northern Florida.

Most roses grow best with at least 6 hours per day of direct sunlight. "Iceberg" is shade tolerant and can produce blossoms with 4 to 5 hours of sunlight per day. Maximize zone hardiness by planting shrubs in well-drained soil, enriched with organic material and mulched with about 2 inches of organic mulch. The mulch should not touch the bases of the plants. Water regularly during the first year and during dry spells thereafter. Promote rebloom by deadheading the flowers as they fade. Prune the shrub in late winter, removing weak, dead or crossed branches.

"Iceberg" can sometimes be grown in areas slightly warmer than the optimal USDA and AHS Heat-Zone parameters. This practice is often called "pushing the zone." Taking advantage of "Iceberg's" shade tolerance is one way to do this, as partly shaded areas are generally somewhat cooler than those with 6 hours per day of sunlight. Providing daily moisture with soaker hoses is another good way to push the zone. Some properties may be elevated above the surrounding area and subject to cooling breezes, making it possible to grow "Iceberg" successfully.

Gardeners living in areas too warm for "Iceberg" can choose other white roses as substitutes. The classic hybrid tea "Pascali" (Rosa "Pascali") is hardy in USDA zones 7b through 11, making it possible to grow the shrub in all of Florida. While "Pascali" does not have "Iceberg's" cluster-flowering habit, it does produce double white blooms in flushes during the growing season. The hybrid musk rose "Moonlight" (Rosa "Moonlight"), hardy in USDA zones 6b through 10b, will grow in much of Florida and produces fragrant clusters of single to semi-double white flowers. It also shares "Iceberg's" shade tolerance.