ICE COOL – white climbing rose – Delbard
Step through your front gate and imagine a curtain of white blooms catching the light after rain, the glossy dark foliage still fresh and beaded with droplets that slide away easily in blustery, showery weather common to exposed British gardens. ICE COOL is a Delbard-bred climbing rose designed for dependable structure on arches, railings and small façades, ideal for narrow London front gardens where every square metre must earn its keep. As an own-root plant it offers reassuring longevity, quietly building a stable framework that responds well to light pruning rather than demanding expert care. Over its long flowering season, modestly scented, semi-double blooms open in repeated flushes, staying clean and luminous against the foliage with minimal discolouration. In its pharmaROSA ORIGINAL 2-litre form, the rose settles in gradually, with roots in the first year, confident vertical growth in the second, and full ornamental impact by the third, all while supporting low-input, rainwater-conscious planting for busy urban gardeners.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Narrow London front-garden railings |
Compact spread and medium-height climbing habit make ICE COOL ideal for training along traditional iron railings without overwhelming the pavement, giving a vertical screen of blooms with relatively simple pruning – a reassuring choice for beginners. |
| Rainwater-friendly façade greening |
Dense, glossy foliage intercepts rainfall while the climber’s frame can be supported on discreet wires, helping soften brickwork and downpipe lines in small terraces, complementing permeable surfacing and water-wise planting for busy homeowners. |
| Pergola or rose arch focal point |
Semi-double, high-centred flowers repeat well through the season, creating an elegant archway or pergola cover that looks considered but not fussy, rewarding occasional tying-in and deadheading with consistently showy displays for relaxed gardeners. |
| Medium-sized family garden boundary |
Medium maintenance needs and a controllable spread allow ICE COOL to clothe fences or low walls without encroaching far into play or seating areas, offering long-term structure that suits time-pressed families. |
| Part-shaded urban side return |
Suitability for partial shade means it will still flower reliably on aspects that miss some midday sun, making the often-overlooked side return brighter and more inviting for space-conscious city-dwellers. |
| Sustainable, long-lived design features |
Own-root growth provides long lifespan and good regeneration after harder pruning, so the underlying framework can be refreshed rather than replaced, supporting durable, low-turnover planting schemes for thoughtful planners. |
| Coastal and exposed sites |
Glossy, tough foliage and resilient canes help the plant cope with unsettled, wind-driven showers and brisk conditions typical of breezier UK gardens, giving dependable cover where other climbers might struggle for cautious buyers. |
| Large containers on balconies or patios |
When grown in a minimum 40–50 litre container with good drainage, ICE COOL forms a manageable vertical accent that can be trained onto a narrow obelisk, bringing height and seasonal flower interest within easy reach for container-focused gardeners. |
Styling ideas
- Front-Door Welcome – Train ICE COOL over a slim arch, underplant with dwarf lavender and sedge for a soft, fragrant entrance – ideal for terrace owners seeking smart kerb appeal.
- Green-Screen Railings – Weave stems along railings and pair with low nepeta for a airy, wildlife-friendly frontage – suited to urban gardeners wanting privacy without heaviness.
- Calm-White Courtyard – Combine this white climber with Phormium ‘Tom Thumb’ and slate containers for a crisp, contemporary palette – perfect for design-led homeowners.
- Family Pergola Retreat – Let ICE COOL span a small pergola with shade-tolerant herbs beneath for relaxed weekend seating – good for families wanting easy, low-fuss structure.
- Minimalist Balcony Climber – Grow in a 50-litre pot on an obelisk, teamed with simple grasses for movement – best for busy city-dwellers who favour clean lines and low maintenance.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Climbing rose from the Grand Colours collection; registered as DELgribla, marketed as Ice Cool Grand Colours DELgribla, with ARS exhibition name Blanche Colombe, meaning “white dove” in French. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Georges Delbard and introduced by Roseraies Georges Delbard, France, in 1995; a large-flowered climber of unknown parentage selected for clear white colour and refined flower form. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Vigorous climbing habit reaching 240–360 cm high and 160–240 cm wide, with dense, dark green glossy foliage and moderate prickles; requires support on arches, pergolas, fences or façades. |
| Flower morphology |
Semi-double, high-centred, pointed buds in a cut-rose style; medium-sized solitary flowers with approximately 13–25 petals, remontant with generous second flushes through the main season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Pure white blooms with silky, creamy sheen; ARS code W, RHS NN155C outer, NN155D inner; colour remains stable, later softening to milky cream with occasional pale yellowish tints in strong sun. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very weak fragrance, often barely noticeable in normal garden conditions; chosen primarily for its visual impact and clean white colouring rather than for scented garden or cutting use. |
| Hip characteristics |
Sparse hip production due to semi-double form; small spherical hips 6–10 mm in diameter, orange-red when present, offering modest late-season interest without significant self-seeding. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to approximately −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3); black spot resistant with moderate tolerance to mildew and rust, needing routine monitoring and timely irrigation in dry spells. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited to pergolas, arches, fences and façades or as a solitary specimen; medium maintenance with occasional pest and disease control, best at 185–300 cm spacing and compatible with partial shade sites. |
ICE COOL Grand Colours DELgribla offers refined white climbing blooms, manageable growth for small structures and a long-lived, regenerating own-root framework, making it a considered choice for enduring, low-fuss garden structure.
