Bred specifically for small gardens and combination planters, the Drift series of roses includes six cultivars that are naturally dwarf, everblooming with very dark, glossy foliage. Tested on both coasts, they are winter-hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 5 and show very good resistance to rust, powdery mildew and blackspot.
Part of Conard-Pyle Co.’s Star Roses line, Drift roses fit a special niche in the shrub rose market. Created in response to increased consumer demand for smaller everblooming plants, Drifts are sold primarily in 6-inch pots, quarts, gallons and 10-inch deco pots.
Drift roses are a cross between full-size groundcover roses and miniatures. From the former they kept the toughness, vigor, disease resistance and winter hardiness. From the miniatures, they inherited their well-managed size and repeat-flowering nature.
“They’re disease resistant, hardy and free-flowering,” Conard-Pyle’s Steve Hutton said. “These days, that’s the price of admission for a shrub rose. If it can’t meet those qualities, don’t bring it on the market.”
6 cultivars
Coral Drift ‘Meidriflora.’ Bright coral-orange flowers cover this small, mounding shrub from midspring to midfall. It’s fully winter-hardy and disease resistant.
Ivory Drift ‘Meijeunom.’ One of the earliest roses to flower, and one of the most floriferous in the Drift series, it has exceptional disease resistance.
Peach Drift ‘Meiggili.’ Soft apricot-salmon blossoms cover the plant from midspring to the first hard freeze. The mature plant is about 2 feet by 2 feet and exhibits strong disease resistance.
Pink Drift ‘Meijocos.’ This low-growing mound of flowers reaches 1 1/2 feet tall with a 3-foot spread. Deep-pink blossoms are borne in abundance throughout the season on a disease-resistant plant.
Red Drift ‘Meigalpio.’ The most petite of the Drift series, Red Drift is perfect for container gardening as well as for use in front-of-border plantings. Mature height is less than 1 foot with a similar spread.
White Drift ‘Meiglise.’ Conard-Pyle is calling this the first true miniature shrub rose. Flowers are 1-1 1/2 inches wide and have a strong spicy fragrance. The pure-white flowers begin in late June and continue well into fall.
Culture notes
The Drifts require no spraying except in the most blackspot-prone areas of the
Hutton said test plots of Drift roses had been maintained in a no-spray zone at the company’s
Drifts should be pruned back to 4 inches in late winter for the best repeat performance.
Specifics
Name: Rosa Drift series.
Common name: Drift groundcover roses.
Family: Rosaceae.
Description: Six roses – coral, ivory, peach, pink, red and white – that are naturally dwarf, everblooming with very dark, glossy foliage.
Hardiness: To USDA Hardiness Zone 5.
Landscape uses: Small gardens, combination planters and hanging baskets. Can also be massed. Series members combine wonderfully with perennials.
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For more: Conard-Pyle Co., (800) 458-6559; www.starroses.com.
- Kevin Neal
April 2008