White Licorice is a floribunda cultivar shrub in the rose family (Rosaceae) that was bred in the US by Christian Bedard in 2009 and introduced as 'White Licorice' in 2011 by Weeks Wholesale Rose Grower. Its marketing name was chosen to highlight the strong lemony, licorice scent. This shrub will grow 2-4 feet tall and fill out down to the ground but can be pruned into a small tree shape. Plant in full sun in well-drained, moist, fertile soil and mulch to help retain moisture and decrease weed growth. Pruning to remove dead or dying branches at any time. Prune as needed in late winter to early spring to remove winter damage and maintain shape. Blooming in clusters, the fragrant, double flowers average 4" in diameter and will bloom throughout the season. Deadheading, along with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily, will encourage new flowers to form. Morning sun will help dry the leaves of dew, which will, in turn, allow the glossy foliage to be at its healthiest. It is fairly disease-resistant and has good heat tolerance. Use this shrub in the border, as a specimen, mass planted or in a container as a small tree shape for the patio. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: See pests of roses to the left. Roses are susceptible to black spot and mildew. Deer will browse the plant.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheRosa 'Europeana'Rosa Heart 'n' Soul 'ORApaymel'Rosa Lemon Fizz® 'KORfizzlem'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Rose; Shrub
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 6 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Good Cut; Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Dome
Flower size
3-6 inches
Flower detail
The large flowers are white with yellow tinting.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Stem detail
Multi-stemmed
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
United States
Wildlife value
Bees, butterflies and other pollinators are attracted to the flowers.