If you are looking for a low growing plant that is maintenance free, blooms from spring to fall and only has to be planted once– remember two words; Drift Roses. A cross between a miniature rose and ground cover roses, Drift Roses pack a petite-sized punch. They inherited their manageable size and repeat-blooming nature from miniature roses. Introduced in 2006, Drift Roses have been tested extensively under diverse climate conditions and are hardy to Zone 5.
Drift Roses were introduced by the same company, Conard-Pyle Co. who brought us the Knock Out rose. Smaller in stature to Knock Out Roses, Drifts will give you low massing of color in the 1-1/2 to 2 foot height range spreading to 3 to 4 feet wide . Naturally dwarf, they have an added bonus of attractive foliage and almost continuously bloom from spring to frost (bloom cycle about every 5-6 weeks). Winter hardy to zone 4.
Coral Drift Rose
Drift Roses have a versatile habit
Drift Roses work well in the landscape, in both southern and most northern regions. Use them in borders, entryways, for erosion control, foundation plantings, around garden ponds, landscape beds, mass planting, median strips, perennial gardens, on hillsides and in small groups.
Stunning low maintenance combinations
Try Drifts in containers paired with complimentary plants; annuals, perennials or grasses.
Pink Drift Roses brighten up a landscape
Sweet Drift is a double rose with clear pink petals
I recently planted up a container for a client that featured a Coral Drift Rose paired with a similarly colored Bougainvillea and Purslane for a stunning low maintenance combination. The Coral Drift Rose works especially well in southern climates where the sun is so intense. It works very effectively to brighten up borders and to gives empty spaces a bit of zing. The pretty pastel types don’t seem to work in the tropics, but in northern climes the pastel colors are luscious– evocative of English Garden roses, but less fussy.
The Drift Rose series is composed of seven varieties:
- Apricot Drift NEW IN 2010
- Icy Drift NEW IN 2010
- Sweet Drift NEW IN 2010
- Coral Drift
- Pink Drift
- Red Drift
- Peach Drift
Pink Drift Roses
Red Drift Roses
Peach Drift
Coral colored Drift Rose in a pot, paired with a similar color Bougainvillea
Drift Roses range in size from 2 to 3 feet wide x 1-1/2 feet tall. The low, manageable habit of Drift Roses makes them perfect for small gardens, hillsides,perennial beds and even awkward areas. They brighten up borders and fill in empty spaces around your favorite established plants.
The drift roses are lovely – but how do they do in hot and humid Florida?
Boy, those photos are spectacular! I especially loved the ones in the pots.
These roses sound like something even I could grow…you’ve inspired me to get some!
Marilyn- They are troopers. My clients are crazy about them and excited to finally have a hardy replacement for all the flowering shrubs they have lost, planting them at number of clients gardens recently and they are going strong. They can take the heat and the cold. Some leaf damage here and there, if you really inspect them close up. I have sprayed mine with some Neem Oil and that seems to have done the trick.
Oh, drift roses may be the answer for me too! I love hibiscus, but gave them up because I’m tired of fighting mealy bugs, which apparently have come to Oldsmar to stay and have decimated my hibiscus (after 20 yrs of thriving). I planted Petunias this year. They did well for awhile, but now are brown and scraggly, in spite of frequent watering. Do you know if mealy bugs like drift roses? Is that what you sprayed the Need Oil for?
Question: I think my black rubber hose may contain lead that may be leaching into the water with which I water my outdoor plants. Also, when I spray hose water into my plastic watering can, the water foams and gives off a chemical odor. Maybe the plastic is leaching Bisphenol A (BPA)? Both hose and watering can are stored on a covered porch, not in direct sun, but in the heat of the day, every day. Do you think chemicals from the hose or watering could harm my plants?
Nancy- I would be surprised if the hose had lead, but it might be breaking down if it is really old. The chemical smell in the water, doesn’t sound good. Do a comparison with hose and without hose. Try smelling the water that comes directly from the hose bib to see if it has a funky smell. If it does, have your water tested.
Mealy bugs- yes, try the Neem oil. I have not seen meally bugs on my Drift Roses. There were some spots on my roses, not black spot, but small black spots. The spots went away after I sprayed them with a Neem oil solution. For good garden hygiene spray your garden every couple of weeks with Neem. If you have infestations, spray every couple of days.
How much water do drift roses need? Can they survive in hot, DRY, climates? They’re pretty. Thanks for the tip. I like low maintenance in flowers and people. ~~~~~Brook
Brook- Once established you might be able to get away with watering once a week, but make sure it is a deep watering. If they wane, try Quick Start, a Miracle Gro product, helps elevate shock. Stay tuned, we have a new article coming out on Old Fashioned Roses that work in hot climates.