Everything You Need to Know About Drift Roses: A Better Rose Than Knock Out
okimo/Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
On This Page
Drift Rose Advantages Over 'Knock Out'
How to Grow Drift Roses
How to Plant Drift Roses in the Ground
How to Plant Your Drift Roses in a Container
No doubt about it. 'Knock Out' rose is one of the most popular plants around. Millions upon millions have been sold to people looking for constant color with zero maintenance to the point where it's hard to find anyone growing a rose that isn't 'Knock Out.' But perhaps for the average homeowner, there might be something better.
See, one of the misconceptions about 'Knock Out' is that planting it is the only demand it ever makes of you. Not so. Look closely and you'll notice something astonishing. It grows bigger every year! An unpruned plant eventually reaches 6 feet tall and wide. It's one of the most viciously thorny of all roses, so you can imagine how many pricks you might have after pruning.
Thus, the Conard-Pyle Company, those friendly folks from Pennsylvania who introduced 'Knock Out' rose to America, saw an opportunity. They brought out a new line of roses called Drift. Just like 'Knock Out,' they bloom nonstop and don't need spraying for disease. But these roses grow only 18 inches tall and about 3 feet wide with an arching, graceful shape.
Conard-Pyle calls them "ground cover roses" because you can plant them in a sweep at the front of a bed for a blanket of color. But you can also let them drift from a container or drift over a low wall or drift over a bank—if you get my drift.
Drift Rose Advantages Over 'Knock Out'
1. They're not 'Knock Out.' The world needs something different.
2. They don't grow as big and have more graceful forms.
3. Their flowers have a more traditional rose shape.
4. Quite a few of the Drifts, such as 'Coral Drift' and 'Sweet Drift,' are fragrant.
em'Peach Drift' rose. Photo: starrosesandplants.com/em
How to Grow Drift Roses
Soil
Being as low maintenance as they are, Drift Roses will grow in most soil conditions you plant them in, but they do prefer moist, but well-drained soil. It is recommended to test your soil drainage in the spot you plan to plant them beforehand. Make sure not to overwater your Roses—too much watering can cause root rot and other diseases. If you are planting your roses in a container, most garden soils will work perfectly—just make sure it has a pH balance of 6 to 7, as Drift roses do best in this acidity level.
Light
Drift roses thrive in full sun! They will need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily from the spring to early fall to promote continued growth. They can handle a little shade, but make sure they are getting the vitamin D they love.
Water
After first planting your Drift roses, make sure to deep soak the area to approximately the depth of the height of the root ball. As your new floral addition enters into its first growing season—which lasts from spring to fall—water just enough to keep the soil damp to moist. Make sure you let the area completely dry out before watering again—this will help prevent root rot. Because it is a drought-resistant plant, after its first growing season, one will only need to water it in summer drought conditions or when the plant is looking extra wilted or its stems or leaves are drooping.
Fertilizer
Drift roses don't need fertilizing, but they do like it! However, make sure not to fertilize your roses until they have gone through one full growing season. Use a balanced fertilizer or a fertilizer made for roses. Fertilize your plants about once every six weeks during the growing period, but make sure not to use fertilizer in the late summer, because the plant will be preparing for winter at that time.
Pruning
While Drift roses don't require pruning, a good trim will help the plant become denser and promote growth. Drift roses should be pruned in the later winter or early spring once a year to about a six to eight-inch height.
How to Plant Drift Roses in the Ground
Decide on a place to plant your Drift roses! They will need at least six hours of direct sunlight a day so it is important you choose a sunshiny patch where there is not much shade.
Use your shovel to dig a hole about three times as wide as the root ball and about as deep as it.
Take out your rose from the container, and use your fingers to loosen the root a bit at the plant's base.
Plant your roses making sure the base of the plant is at ground level. Add extra soil to the bottom of the hole if necessary to ensure it is at the right height.
Fill in empty spaces around the plant with soil until it stands up on its own. Aerate the soil with your hands as you put it back in the ground.
Soak the area, and allow it to fully drain out before watering again.
How to Plant Your Drift Roses in a Container
Choose a container bigger than your dwarf-sized Drift roses—at least two times bigger. This will give your Drift roses some room to grow. Don't forget to choose a container that has adequate draining!
Add potting soil into your container, leaving room to place the rose!
Add the rose into the soil, making sure the base of your plant is level with the top of the soil height.
Go ahead and add soil around the plant leaving only about one and a half inches at the top of the container empty.
Water your plant thoroughly and allow it to drain completely. Water twice a week when in a container—just make sure your plant gets ample time to drain completely before watering again.
Place your plant in a sunlit area, ensuring it gets at least six hours of sunlight a day!
Do you have 'Knock Out' roses? Are you interested in planting 'Drift' roses?