Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
This upright, deciduous bush has green foliage that will turn reddish-orange in the fall, creating a striking display. These stunning flowers, that bloom from late spring to fall, will lend your garden a gorgeous, fragrant focal-point that lasts all season. The glossy green foliage of the Sweet Drift® Rose is attractive and celebrated for its disease-resistance. It grows to a height of 1 to 2 feet with a spread of 2 to 3 feet.
Bred by Drift Roses, the Sweet Drift® Rose is northern hardy and has a compact, low-growing form with an arched, elegant shape. It was awarded the Gold Medal for Ground Cover Roses at the Rose Hills International Rose Trials in 2013. Sweet Drift® Roses are beloved for their lengthy blooming season and vivid colors. They are lovely in cottage-style gardens and beds and make a beautiful low hedge.
Sweet Drift® Rose Care
Your Sweet Drift® Rose will thrive best in full sun. It needs rich, fertile soil that is well-drained. It should be fertilized in the spring with slow-release fertilizer. To extend the blooming period of your Sweet Drift® Rose, fertilize again in late summer. Adding a 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch to the base of the plant will prevent weeds and help retain moisture.
You should cut back your Sweet Drift® Rose in early spring after the last hard frost of the year, but before it begins to show signs of new growth in the spring.
Sweet Drift® Rose Spacing
Sweet Drift® Rose is great when grown en masse for groundcover. It is also a great long-blooming centerpiece in a woodland garden. It can be grown in containers and pots and makes both a beautiful “thriller” and “filler” in a mixed perennial garden. Your Sweet Drift® Rose should be spaced 4 to 5 feet apart from center to center at planting. However, if you are planting for ground cover, 3 to 4 feet apart in staggered rows is sufficient.
Sweet Drift® Rose Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 1-2 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 2-3 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Spreading
- Water Needs
- Average
- Root Stock
- Own Root
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Pink
- Flower Description
- Pink
- Bloom Time
- Late Spring to Fall
- Blooms On
-
New Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Deep Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Sweet Drift® Rose
- Botanical Name
- ROSA 'DRIFT SWEET'
- Brand
- Drift Roses
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!