How to Plant Drift Roses – Planting, Care and Pruning

Are you considering a perennial border but feel overwhelmed with choices and unsure where to start? You could solve all your problems by planting drift roses instead. Drift roses make an excellent perennial border with miniature roses that bloom well into late summer. Their growth habit is low and wide, growing only a few feet tall but with a large spread, making planting a breeze.

They look lovely in all kinds of garden designs, from traditional to cottage gardens, and make a good choice of shrub for curb appeal in a foundation planting at the front of the house.

Drift Roses: What are They?

Drift series roses cross between full-size ground cover roses and miniature roses. They were bred to stay small in size and bloom from spring to the first frost without much fuss from the gardener.  

These deciduous shrubs look wonderful planted anywhere you need a burst of color. 

When to Plant Drift Roses

I’ve never seen shrub roses I liked more than drift roses.  When planted in the right conditions, they will wow all season long.

You can plant drift roses at any time of the year in warmer zones. However, in zones 5-6, it is best to plant your drift roses in late spring.  

Soil Preparation & Amendments for Healthy Drift Roses

Drift roses thrive in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil, so taking the time to prepare the planting area properly will set them up for long-term success. These roses prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5-6.5), so it’s a good idea to test your soil before planting. If the pH is too high (alkaline), try adding peat moss or elemental sulfur to help balance it.

For ideal soil texture and nutrients, consider mixing in:

• Compost or well-rotted manure – Improves soil structure and provides essential nutrients.
• Aged pine bark or perlite – Enhances drainage, especially in heavy clay soil.
• Sand (if needed) – Helps break up dense, compacted soil for better root growth.

If your soil holds too much water, consider planting Drift roses in raised beds or mounded soil to improve drainage. Proper preparation ensures strong roots, lush foliage, and continuous blooms throughout the season!

How to Plant Drift Roses

Planting drift roses is easy and takes no time at all:

1. Dig a hole: Start by digging your hole at least two to three feet wide. The hole should be at least 2 times the size of the root bulb.
2. Prep the rose bush: Remove your drift rose from its nursery container by lightly squeezing the container. If the root ball does not release, cut the container away from the plant. Water the root ball deeply before placing it into the hole.
3. Plant the rose bush: To plant, set your rose in the planting hole so that the top edge of the root ball is at or slightly above ground level. You can add a bit of backfill or extra compost to level out the soil around the plant. Water deeply.

Care for Drift Roses

So long as you follow the cultural and environmental care required for your drift roses, you will be rewarded year after year with the best performance.

• Hardiness growing zone: USDA hardiness in zones 5-10
• Sunlight requirement: Drift roses require full sun with a minimum of 8 hours. 
• Soil requirements: Soil pH of 5.5-6.5 with good drainage. Soggy or constantly wet conditions can cause root rot. 
• Fertilizer requirements: Slow release rose fertilizer right after winter pruning and then every 6 weeks through the growing season with specific rose food. Stop all fertilization 8 weeks prior to the first average frost date in your zone.
• Water requirements: The roses are fairly drought tolerant once established. Do not overwater as frequent watering can cause rot and disease. Only water when the soil no longer feels moist to the touch.
• Spacing requirements: Space plants a minimum of 3-4 feet apart.  
• Bloom cycle: Drift roses are repeat bloomers and will bloom every 5-6 weeks. They are also self cleaning!

Types of Drift Roses

There are nine different colors to choose from in the Drift series of roses, so there should be something for every garden.

All drift roses are hardy to USDA zones 4-11; they range in height from 1/2 to 3 feet, with some types growing slightly shorter.

These flowers are an exceptional choice for garden beds.

• Apricot drift rose: Light soft apricot flowers – 1 1/2-2 1/2 feet tall.
• Coral drift: Mid-tone coral flowers- 1 1/2- 2 1/2 feet tall.
• Sweet drift: Mid-tone rose color flowers – 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 tall (my absolute favorite)
• Pink drift: Soft pink flowers – 1 1/2 – 3 feet tall.
• Red drift: Bright red flowers – 1 1/2 -2 1/2 feet tall.
• Peach drift: Soft peachy flowers – 1 1/2-2 feet tall.
• Popcorn drift: Soft light buttery cream flowers – 1 1/2-2 feet tall
• White drift: Beautiful bright white flowers – 1 1/2 -2 1/2 feet tall
• Lemon drift: lovely mid-tone yellow flowers – 1 1/2 -2 1/2 feet tall.

See The entire collection of drift series roses.

Diseases & Pests

If I haven’t convinced you yet that drift roses are the way to go, let me add how wonderfully disease-resistant they are. 

Drift roses are low-maintenance roses that are diseases resistant to rust, powdery mildew, and black spot. 

However, like any plant in the garden if the environmental conditions are not met and the plant is stressed or waterlogged it can become susceptible to canker, powdery mildew, and blight. Make sure your roses have everything they need to thrive and you will avoid many of the diseases listed here.

The plants may also be attacked by bud borers, spider mites, leafcutters, or Japanese beetles.

Pruning

To keep your rose bushes full all season long, prune them in early spring before new growth begins.  Good annual pruning will encourage blooms. Cut the plants back 4-6 inches above the ground.

When pruning, use a clean, sharp pair of sheers to ensure clean cuts. 

Ragged cuts take longer to heal and can introduce disease.  Also, always use sanitary tools to avoid spreading disease through your garden. 

Winter Care

In-ground drift roses should receive 2-3 inches of mulch or leaves around the base of the plant. You should also cover plants with burlap to help retain moisture and protect them from the drying winter winds.

If you planted your drift roses in containers, they should be brought inside and stored in a cool dark area to protect them from winter temperatures.

Common Problems & Solutions for Drift Roses

Even though Drift roses are easy to care for, they can still run into a few common issues. Use this guide to quickly diagnose and fix problems before they affect your plants’ health and blooms.

Symptoms	Possible Causes	Solution
Leaves turning yellow, sometimes with brown edges	Overwatering, poor drainage, or nutrient deficiency	Ensure soil drains well, reduce watering, and apply a balanced rose fertilizer
Healthy foliage but few or no flowers	Too much nitrogen, not enough sunlight, or improper pruning	Provide 6+ hours of sunlight, avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, and prune lightly to encourage new growth
Dark spots or white powder on leaves, spreading in humid conditions	Black spot or powdery mildew due to excess moisture and poor airflow	Water at the base (not overhead), improve air circulation, and use neem oil or an organic fungicide
Small green, black, or white insects on new growth; curling leaves	Aphid infestation	Spray with a strong jet of water, apply insecticidal soap, or introduce ladybugs as natural predators
Stems turning brown or dying back in early spring	Cold exposure, frost damage	Apply mulch around the base in fall for insulation and prune dead stems in early spring

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Final Thoughts on Growing Drift Roses

I became enamored with these roses the first time I saw them in bloom at a friend’s house mid-summer. The flowers rimmed the entire circular driveway and were a mass of beautiful flowers. I had to have them!

These are flowers for someone who wants a garden but does not want to be a gardener. They are effortless to grow with very little fuss or work required to make them beautiful. Plant them in the ground, give them what they need, and watch them grow.

Have you planted Drift roses in your garden? We’d love to hear about it! Drop a comment below and share your favorite varieties, tips, or any challenges you’ve faced.

If you found this guide helpful, spread the love by sharing it with fellow gardeners—or save it to Pinterest so you can refer back to it later!

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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on February 21, 2022. It was updated on March 6, 2025, to include additional information and improve readability.