The Drift Roses
*Scroll below to see a review of each Drift Rose variety
Over the past three years, I have planted every variety of Drift Rose in my landscape here in mid-Georgia. All are performing exceptionally well, even throughout the longest and hottest summer on record we experienced last year. I've seen no serious pest or disease problems. Even the deer seem to leave them alone!
Drift Roses come from the introducers of The Knock Out Family of Roses. Like The Knock Outs, Drift Roses are repeat-bloomers that are tough, disease resistant, winter and summer hardy and virtually maintenance-free. They are a cross between full-size groundcover roses and miniature roses. From the former they kept toughness, disease resistance and winter hardiness. From the miniatures, they inherited their well-managed size and repeat-blooming nature. They are winter hardy to zone 4 and thrive all the way down to zone 11!
The low, spreading and/or mounding habit of Drift Roses makes them the perfect choice for smaller spaces. I've used them in many applications: to brighten up borders, fill in empty spaces, along walkways or paths, and to spread delicately around larger established plants throughout my landscape. I've tucked them in throughout the landscape to provide season-long color.
Drift Roses aren't too finicky about soil type, provided it is well-drained, but not too dry. They'll grow in full, all-day sun or in morning sun with afternoon shade. Morning sun is a must to dry dew from leaves. I prune them lightly between blooming cycles and heavy in late winter - to about 6 inches above the ground. I fertilize them in early spring and again after every heavy bloom cycle with a mild, natural fertilizer such as Milorganite.
The series is composed of 7 varieties:
Red Drift®
Red Drift has the most petite flowers of all of the Drift Roses. The flowers are a deep red and are borne in profusion, repeating from mid-Spring to frost. It is perfect for use in front of border plantings. Red Drift makes a beautiful statement when it drapes naturally over a rock wall or edge. Grows 1-2' tall by 2-3' wide. Red Drift Rose Plant File
Sweet Drift®
Clear pink double flowers seem to float in clusters atop dark green glossy foliage. This is the most double-flowered of the Drift Roses and has the most natural shape. A great choice where a more old-fashioned look is desired. I have them planted on a slope in front of my 1930's cottage style home. Grows 1-2' height by 2-3' wide. Sweet Drift Rose Plant File
Coral Drift®
An abundance of bright coral-orange blooms repeat from mid-spring to frost on dense, mounding shrubs. Out of all the Drift Roses, Coral Drift has the most vibrant flowers that catch your eye from anywhere. Mix and match with similar or contrasting colors to really wow. Grows 1-2' tall by 2-3' wide. Coral Drift Rose Plant File
Apricot Drift®
Apricot Drift exhibits a true groundcover habit and offers a fresh look to the series. Double apricot colored flowers begin flowering in spring and repeat until frost. Perfect for small gardens or along paths and walkways. Grows 1-2' tall by 2-3' wide. Apricot Drift Rose Plant File
Icy Drift®
Icy Drift produces abundant clusters of pure white double blooms that form from late spring to frost above trailing plants. The dark green foliage consists of smaller, shinier leaves than some of the other Drifts. Icy Drift is doing very well in my landscape on an embankment that receives morning sun with afternoon shade. Grows 1-2' tall by 2-3' wide. Icy Drift Rose
Pink Drift®
Pink Drift produces masses of very eye-catching deep pink, single flowers with a white eye zone atop dense, mounding plants from mid-spring to frost. If I had to pick a favorite, this one might be it. Grows 1-2' tall by 3' wide. Pink Drift Rose
Peach Drift®
Peach Drift is one of the most floriferous dwarf roses available. When flowering, Peach Drift looks as though it has several colors of flowers on the same plant. Flowers emerge a peach color then fading to a light peach and finally to light pink. Grows 1-2' tall by 2' wide. Peach Drift Rose Plant File
Drift® Roses can be found at GardenerDirect.com or click here to find a garden retailer near you.
