SNOW TEARS – white landscape shrub rose – pharmaROSA®
If You want a rose that simply settles in and performs without fuss, SNOW TEARS is a compact, upright bedding rose with reliable repeat flowering, masses of pure white clusters and very low day‑to‑day needs. Its glossy mid‑green foliage and neat shape make it easy to place in small Irish front gardens, coping well even where heavy soil needs sensible drainage in a wetter climate. The blooms stay snow white with only a gentle creamy edge as they age, keeping beds looking fresh rather than tired. On its own roots it builds up steadily, giving a long‑lived, balanced shrub that regenerates well after pruning. Year one it concentrates on roots, year two on stronger shoots, and by year three it shows full ornamental value. With light, refreshing fragrance and a modest height that rarely outgrows small borders, You get a quietly elegant, easy‑care rose that suits busy gardeners who want flowers, not work.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden bed by the path |
Compact height and upright growth give a tidy, welcoming line of white blooms that stays in scale with low walls and small front lawns, ideal for beginners who want neat structure with little shaping, especially busy homeowners |
| Low-maintenance family border |
Very good disease resistance and low maintenance needs keep foliage healthy without complex spray routines, so the border looks presentable even if You only have time for basic pruning and feeding, perfect for time-poor gardeners |
| Small group planting (3–5 roses) |
Planting in a small group creates a white drift that reads as one rounded shrub, making a strong focal point with simple spacing rules and minimal design effort, a reassuring option for novice planters |
| Mixed cottage-style bed with perennials |
The cool, pure white flowers blend easily with soft pastels and herbs such as lavender and rosemary, tying together a romantic, informal cottage look without complicated colour planning, attractive to cottage-garden lovers |
| Easy-care low hedge or edging |
Regular, upright growth and recommended spacing allow SNOW TEARS to form a short, clearly defined hedge along drives or boundaries that stays manageable with one annual trim, giving structure for practical planners |
| Container on patio or balcony (40–50 litre minimum) |
Its moderate size and repeat flowering suit a large, well-drained container, where one rose can provide months of white colour without overwhelming the space, ideal for urban balcony owners |
| Bright accent in shaded or overcast gardens |
The snow-white clusters stand out on dull or grey days, lifting the mood of gardens that see a lot of cloud cover and rain typical of Ireland, bringing cheer to weather-weary gardeners |
| Long-term, reliable planting around the home |
Own-root growth and hardiness down to about -26 °C support a long lifespan, with the shrub steadily filling its space and coping with typical Irish wet spells where good drainage protects roots, giving confidence to long-term planners |
Decorating ideas
- White Welcome Border – Line a short front path with SNOW TEARS and dwarf lavender for a crisp, fragrant entrance – ideal for homeowners who want a smart look with minimal upkeep
- Cottage Trio Corner – Plant three SNOW TEARS in a triangle with rosemary and soft pink perennials to create a relaxed cottage feel – suited to those who enjoy romantic, informal planting without rigid design
- Calm Patio Feature – Grow one shrub in a 40–50 litre stone pot, underplant with trailing thyme for a simple, calming white focus on terrace or balcony – perfect for busy urban gardeners
- Neat Family Hedge – Use a row along the edge of a play lawn to frame the space with low, thorn-managed structure and clean white flowers – good for families who want definition without high hedges
- Moonlight Bed – Combine SNOW TEARS with pale hydrangeas and silver foliage plants for a bed that glows in evening light – appealing to those who relax in the garden after work
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Trade name SNOW TEARS Bedding rose pharmaROSA®, floribunda/landscape shrub bed rose, own-root in 2-litre containers; exhibition and registered cultivar name data not available, supplied true-to-name for garden use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Discovered in Hungary in 1989, breeder listed as pharmaROSA®; parentage and formal breeding line unknown, introduced to the market by PharmaRosa® Ltd., with no official registration year recorded. |
| Growth and structure |
Compact, upright shrub reaching about 50–70 cm high and 55–85 cm wide, with moderately dense, glossy mid-green foliage and moderate prickliness, well suited to bedding, edging and small group plantings. |
| Flower morphology |
Medium-sized, double flowers with roughly 26–39 petals each, cup-shaped and borne in clusters; remontant habit with a second flush that is also abundant, providing extended seasonal display in ordinary gardens. |
| Colour and phenology |
Pure, cool snow-white blooms with a subtle ivory or creamy hint near the centre; colour holds very well, with only slight cream tones at the edges as flowers age, maintaining a clean white effect throughout flowering. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Light, refreshing scent of restrained intensity, adding a gentle fragrance without overwhelming nearby seating areas; primarily planted for visual effect rather than for strong perfume, comfortable in busy family spaces. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Occasionally forms small, rounded rose hips around 10–15 mm in diameter; hips are not especially ornamental but may add a modest seasonal interest later in the year if spent blooms are left on the plant. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Rated resistant to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; hardy approximately to -26 to -23 °C (RHS H7, Swedish zone 4, USDA 5b), providing robust garden performance with low chemical input in suitable conditions. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Low maintenance shrub for beds, hedging and mass planting; space at 55–90 cm depending on use, density about 2.8–3.2 plants/m²; prefers well-drained soil, regular watering and feeding for best, sustained flowering. |
SNOW TEARS gives compact, repeat white flowering with strong disease resistance and tidy growth, and as an own-root rose it builds into a long-lived, reliable shrub, making it a sensible choice if You want beauty without complexity.
