+ What is the ideal time of year to plant Drift® Roses?
You can plant Drift® Roses in the spring, summer or fall. Planting is summer is always more stressful on plants as temperatures are typically hotter and conditions are drier. If you choose to plant in summer, be sure to water thoroughly and consistently to help your plant get established.
+ Is it okay to plant my Drift® Roses in a container?
Drift® Roses will work well in a container on your deck. We suggest planting into a container 2 sizes larger than the pot the plant is currently in to give it room to grow. Also, be sure to place the pot in a sunny location and keep them well watered as containers dry out much faster than in ground plantings.
+ How much sun do my Drift® Roses need?
Drift® Roses need 6-8 hours of full sun every day. The more sun there is, the more they will thrive and produce flowers.
+ What type of soil do Drift® Roses prefer?
They prefer a balanced "neutral" soil, neither acidic nor alkaline. A desired pH level is between 5.5 and 6.5.
+ How much, what type and when do I fertilize my Drift® Roses?
Drift® Roses will perform beautifully even without fertilizing. If you choose to give them an additional boost, it is very important not to fertilize until after the roses are established and go through one bloom cycle. Use a balanced fertilizer or fertilizer formulated for roses from your local garden center and apply after the first wave of flowering (be sure to follow the specified rates and method of application provided on the product label). Make sure the soil is moist before you fertilize to avoid burning the roots. Do not fertilize late in the summer as this is the time the rose should be preparing themselves for dormancy and you do not want to create additional unnecessary new growth that will likely die back from the first hard frost.
+ Do Drift® Roses grow faster when you deadhead them or is it better to just leave them alone?
Drift® Roses will re-bloom every 5-6 weeks regardless of deadheading. Deadheading does offer a cleaner, tidier look. Often people choose to deadhead to remove the faded blooms, so ultimately it is up to you.
+ If I live in an area with a harsh winter, what should I do to protect my Drift® Roses?
If you live in a harsh winter climate, you should do the following: Add 2–3" of mulch, leaves, or pine/fir boughs around the base of the plant. A heavy snow cover will also help insulate and protect the plant through the winter. Also, the winter winds can really dry out the plant so you may want to wrap the plant with burlap. In spring, remove any extra mulch that may be covering the plant too deeply and trim out any dead or broken canes, also remove any burlap that you may have used to wrap the plant.
+ It's getting cold outside...what do I do with my roses that are planted in containers?
Don't panic! Leave the containers outside through the first few frosts then bring them inside and store in a cool, dark area such as your basement or garage. If you store your containers in the garage, remember to protect them from the winter temperatures that can come in as you open and close the door. Store your containers inside until the threat of the last frost has passed (typically in early spring). You'll want to check your roses periodically to make sure they don't dry out completely.
+ My rose does not seem to have survived the winter. Is there anything I can do?
Are you sure this particular plant is entirely dead? Often after a difficult winter, a rose may appear dead, but will eventually re-grow new canes from the base of the plant. Have you tried pruning it back to 6” or so to see if new growth emerges (which may take a few weeks)? By cutting the plant back, you’ll push all the energy back down into the roots which may help it bounce back over time.
+ Are Drift® Roses deer resistant?
Drift® Roses are not deer resistant and unfortunately, as you probably know, when deer are hungry, they’ll munch on anything. Don't worry though, Drift® Roses are really tough and will bloom every 5-6 weeks so if the deer munch off the buds or flowers, you will have a chance to see them bloom again in a few weeks. If deer are really pesky in your area, you may want to try a product like Liquid Fence to keep them away.
+ Where can I purchase Drift® Roses?
Drift® Roses are available at big box stores such as Home Depot, Lowe's and Walmart. They are also available at independent garden centers.
+ The leaves on my plant are turning yellow. Is there anything I can do?
Did you get excessive or abnormal heat in your area? Sometimes a rose bush will turn yellow and drop its foliage in an effort to cool down. It may also be turning yellow because of too much water or fertilizing. The actual frequency of watering will depend on your soil and climate as well as the age of the plant. Try watering a few mornings a week. Water slowly at the base of the plant, until the soil is wet 12 to 18" deep. Soaker hoses are helpful and prevent water from splashing onto foliage. You can also trim back the yellow leaves for a cleaner look.