This month we feature one of the most popular varieties introduced in the last 20 years and one seen at rose shows up and down the country.
Raspberry Ice is very distinguishable by the colouring of its flowers, creamy white with an attractive raspberry pink edge. The blooms are produced in clusters and contrast well with the dark green foliage. When in full bloom, it is a very eye-catching sight in the garden and also performs well inside in a vase.
The plant is a taller grower in the garden, reaching around 1.5m so it may be best placed at the back of the rose garden or among other plantings. It is generally healthy but can be slow to repeat bloom later on in the season.
It received a Certificate of Merit at the New Zealand Rose Society trials at Palmerston North in 1988. For many years now, it has also been ranked the top floribunda by members of the New Zealand Rose Society which shows just how good it is to beat the likes of Iceberg, Sexy Rexy and Margaret Merril.
Bred by the Kordes family of Germany, one of its parents is the popular Strawberry Ice.