Rose ‘Yellow Drift’

Rose 'Yellow Drift' (Rosa 'Yellow Drift') is a rose that behaves like a groundcover. It stays under 40cm tall and spreads to about 80cm, so it runs along the front of a bed or over a low wall instead of standing up as a bush. Small soft yellow flowers repeat from spring right through to autumn, and the plant asks for none of the fussing that puts people off roses.

Why you'll love it

• It flowers for most of the year. Repeat flushes from spring to autumn rather than one heavy show and nine quiet months.
• Low and spreading. Under 40cm tall and 80cm wide, so it covers ground and softens edges without blocking anything.
• Far less work than a bush rose. No structural pruning, no staking, no deadheading required to keep it flowering.
• Tough in Australian conditions. Frost hardy, drought tolerant and heat tolerant once established, across most climate zones.
• Pet friendly. Roses are not toxic to cats or dogs, which is rare among plants that flower this hard.

Where it works best

Groundcover and mass planting. Plant 60cm apart for dense cover. At that spacing the plants knit into a continuous mat within two seasons and shade out most weeds underneath.

Borders and edging. A single row along a path or driveway gives colour at ankle height all season. It also spills nicely over the edge of a retaining wall.

Pots and raised beds. A 300mm to 400mm pot suits one plant, and the low spreading habit means it drapes over the rim rather than growing straight up.

Growing groundcover roses in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, at least six hours, or the flowering drops away and fungal problems increase. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and it is frost hardy, so cold southern districts are no obstacle.

Soil. Improved, free draining soil with plenty of compost dug through. Roses are heavy feeders and will reward good bed preparation more than almost any other plant on this site.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then weekly in dry spells once established. Feed with a complete rose fertiliser in early spring and again in mid summer, and mulch 75mm deep clear of the stems.

Pruning. Cut the whole plant back by about a third in late winter. That is all it needs. Groundcover roses do not require the careful cane by cane pruning that hybrid teas do, so a pair of shears is enough.

What to expect when it arrives

It is currently grown in one size, tube stock, and is supplied on backorder against the next crop, so expect a wait rather than immediate despatch. Tube roses are young plants with a small root system and a few short shoots. They establish quickly in warm weather and reach useful size in their first full season.

This rose is deciduous, so a plant sent in winter may arrive with bare or sparse stems. That is normal. Expect light flowering in the first summer and full cover by the second. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full rose range
• A simple guide to pruning
• Compare low maintenance groundcovers
• Choosing the right edging plants

Common questions

How many plants do I need per square metre?

At 60cm spacing, roughly three plants per square metre. Closer planting does not close the gaps faster and makes it harder to get air moving through, which matters for a rose.

Does it need spraying?

Far less than a hybrid tea. Given full sun and open air movement it usually gets through a season without treatment, though black spot can appear in a humid summer. Remove affected leaves and improve airflow first.

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

Yes. Roses are not toxic to cats or dogs, so a chewed leaf is no cause for concern. The prickles are the only real hazard, and they are small on this variety.