CLOS FLEURI BLANC – white bedding floribunda rose – Delbard
Step outside to soft raindrops and gentle sunlight with CLOS FLEURI BLANC, a bushy floribunda that keeps its snow-white clusters flowering steadily through our cool Irish summers, even where Atlantic breezes bring frequent showers and heavy clouds. This rose was bred for dependable health and low-maintenance gardens, so You can enjoy its delicately sweet fragrance and shimmering petals without complicated spraying routines. As an own-root shrub it offers real longevity, quietly rebuilding itself after harsh winters or the odd pruning mistake, giving a stable, reliable display year after year. Plant once, mulch well, and simply watch the natural rhythm unfold – roots in year one, strong shoots in year two, and full, cottage-garden romance by year three. Perfect for charming, “girly” front plots, white-themed borders and peaceful evenings with a cup of tea and a view of pure whiteness.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front garden focal shrub by the door |
The bushy, upright habit to 130–170 cm creates a welcoming vertical accent without overwhelming a small Dublin terrace or cottage entrance. Clusters of snow-white blooms read clearly from the street, giving neat structure with minimal pruning for beginners and busy homeowners. |
| Low-maintenance cottage-style bed |
Reliable disease resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust means less fuss in damp, close Irish air and fewer chemicals around children or pets. You can underplant freely without worrying about constant spraying, suiting nature-focused families and relaxed hobby gardeners. |
| Season-long flowering strip along a path |
With remontant, abundantly repeating flushes, it keeps beds bright from early summer well into autumn, matching short Irish summers by blooming again whenever the weather softens. This makes every casual walk outside feel rewarding for time-poor urban gardeners. |
| Own-root long-lived garden framework |
Grown on its own roots, the shrub stays true to type if pruned hard or knocked by winter, regenerating cleanly from the base rather than throwing up unwanted rootstock shoots, which supports long-term, stable planting plans for cautious, investment-minded buyers. |
| Mixed white-and-pastel border |
The pure, non-yellowing white flowers act as a calm anchor for soft pinks, lilacs and silvers, giving a gentle, “girly” cottage feel without visual clutter. In evening light the petals almost glow, appealing to those who value atmosphere over complicated plant collections. |
| Rough clay soil family garden |
Once planted with added grit and organic matter for drainage, the strong root system settles in and copes well with typical Irish heavy soils, provided extremes of waterlogging are avoided; this reassures novice planters on challenging plots who still want dependable structure. |
| Container feature on a patio (large pot) |
In a 40–50 litre container with good drainage, its upright, bushy shape and glossy dark foliage frame the white blooms beautifully, creating a “mini border” for renters or paved front gardens, while the light scent adds charm without overwhelming close seating areas. |
| Family-friendly, low-intervention hedge |
Planted at about 50 cm centres, it forms an airy, flowered line with moderate thorns and sparse but glossy foliage, needing only straightforward annual trimming yet remaining ornamental for many years, which suits families prioritising safety, simplicity and reliable structure. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-Romantic Row – Plant a loose line of CLOS FLEURI BLANC with soft pink geraniums and airy Knautia macedonica ‘Red Knight’ for contrast, creating a storybook cottage path – ideal for dreamers who want charm without fiddly maintenance.
- White-on-Green Calm – Combine this rose with Lonicera nitida ‘Maigrün’ and low box or euonymus for a green cushion beneath its snow-white clusters – perfect for those seeking serene, tidy structure around a busy family home.
- Terrace Statement Pot – Grow one plant in a 50-litre terracotta tub with trailing thyme and soft grey lamb’s-ear to soften the rim – suited to city dwellers looking for a single, reliable feature on a balcony or small patio.
- Soft Hedge with Glow – Use repeated plants at 50 cm spacing, backed by Ceanothus or evergreen shrubs, so the pure white flowers “pop” against blue and dark green – great for homeowners wanting a forgiving, long-lived boundary.
- Girly Front-Garden Mix – Underplant CLOS FLEURI BLANC with pastel foxgloves, soft grasses and dusky pink scabious to create a playful, feminine palette – appealing to fragrance lovers who enjoy a light, pretty look from the pavement.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Floribunda shrub rose, registered as DELblan; trade name Clos Fleuri Blanc Les Centenaires de Lourdes® DELblan. Part of the Les Centenaires de Lourdes® collection, classified as a bedding floribunda rose. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Georges Delbard in France in 1988, registered in 2010 and introduced after 2010 by Pépinières et Roseraies Georges Delbard / Georges Delbard SA, with parentage not publicly documented. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy, upright shrub rose reaching about 130–170 cm high and 50–70 cm wide, with moderately thorny stems, sparse yet glossy dark green foliage, suited to hedging, borders and as a taller bedding floribunda. |
| Flower morphology |
Large double cup-shaped clusters, 7–10 cm across, bearing 26–39 petals per bloom. Flowers are produced in inflorescences, with a strong first flush followed by similarly abundant repeat flowering later in the season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Buds open from pale greenish-white to pure snow-white; milk-white inner petals with slight greenish outer tones. Colour remains bright without yellowing, fading only to pearly white with a light creamy edge; RHS 155C–155D range. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Light, delicately sweet fragrance with a subtle classic rose character. Scent is noticeable at close range without being overpowering, making it comfortable near entrances, patios and seating areas where gentle perfume is preferred. |
| Hip characteristics |
Because of the double flowers, hips are few and small; occasional ellipsoidal bright red hips may form, around 5–7 mm in diameter, adding modest late-season interest without significant self-seeding issues. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Demonstrates good resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust. Winter hardy approximately to −23 to −21 °C (USDA 6a, RHS H7, Swedish zone 3), with average tolerance to heat and drought, needing watering in extended dry spells. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers full sun and well-drained, fertile soil; give 50–100 cm spacing depending on use. In clay, improve drainage with organic matter and grit. Maintenance is generally low, with basic pruning and seasonal mulching usually sufficient. |
CLOS FLEURI BLANC offers long-season white flowering, strong disease resistance and reliable own-root longevity, making it a thoughtful choice for those planning a calm, low-effort garden.
