Pure-white globular flowers with pink buds; sweet, creamy old-rose fragrance.
'Ball of Snow' · old garden rose
Classic white Bourbon rose of the XIX century
USDA zone 5b+. Most of Ukraine; in the north/east – with light winter protection.
Compare reference temperatures
Moderate – a sweet, creamy note typical of old roses.
Full sun to light partial shade; tolerates cooler conditions.
Moderate number (precise data are limited).
Dense, glossy, dark green.
Pure white when open; buds noticeably pink/crimson at the tips; sometimes with a faint greenish bloom; in cool weather, pink streaks on the outer petals
Astrantia 'Roma'pink-white
Hosta 'Patriot'green foliage
Veronicastrum 'Album'blue-violet
Heuchera 'Silver Scrolls'purple foliageOther pure white garden varieties — a single snowy mood:
Small white, green and silver flowers and foliage — a classic companion palette for white bouquets and 'moonlit' gardens:
What makes this old Bourbon rose interesting:
Where to plant. Romantic and historic gardens, mixed borders, beside arbours and low supports, cottage gardens.
Climate. USDA 5b–10b; most of Ukraine without problems, in the coldest north/east – with light winter protection. Tolerates light shade.
Care. A sunny, airy spot to prevent spotting; watering at the base; sanitary pruning and removing spent flowers; optionally tie in thin canes.
Name. 'Boule de Neige' (French for 'snowball') – for the globular shape of the white flowers, which form a snowball.
Breeding. Bred by the French breeder François Lacharme in Lyon in 1867; parents Mademoiselle Blanche Lafitte × Sappho.
Significance. One of the classic white Bourbon roses – valued for its combination of pure-white globular flowers, pink buds and sweet fragrance.
The cultivar’s reference temperature is −29 °C (USDA zone 5b+). Overwintering depends on the conditions. Most of Ukraine; in the north/east – with light winter protection.
Repeat-flowering in flushes through the season.
120–150 cm tall, 90–120 cm wide. On a support — up to 300 cm.
Sun / partial shade; full sun to light partial shade; tolerates cooler conditions.
Moderate – a sweet, creamy note typical of old roses.
