Garden hybrid

This is a garden hybrid, bred from more than one wild species, so it has no single species page of its own.

260 other cultivars

shrub

Sweet Drift Rose

Rosa x hybrida 'Sweet Drift'

$24.99

The Story

Plant Bio

The genus Rosa comprises deciduous and evergreen woody shrubs native to the temperate and subtropical Northern Hemisphere, characterized by compound leaves and stems armed with sharp prickles. These plants produce flowers with numerous stamens and distinct hypanthiums that develop into fleshy, seed-bearing hips.

'Meiswetdom', marketed under the trademark Sweet Drift, is a low-growing, mounding groundcover rose bred in France by Alain Meilland. This cultivar produces continuous clusters of clear, fully double, light pink flowers from mid-spring until the first hard freeze against a backdrop of glossy, deep green foliage.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces continuous clusters of clear pink double flowers that form a dense floral carpet over glossy green foliage.

Functions as an effective low-maintenance groundcover for erosion control on slopes and borders.

Provides forage for native bees and generalist insect pollinators throughout the long blooming season.

Garden hybrid

Bred from more than one wild species, so it has no species page of its own.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

18"

Width

30"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

France (cultivar origin)

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Mid spring – Fall

In flower about 8 months of the year

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Nature Hills

In Stock$24.99

Perennial Farm Marketplace

In Stock$49.99

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with fertile, well-draining soil to maximize blooming and disease resistance.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and set the plant so the crown sits level with the surrounding soil.
Water deeply at the base of the plant immediately after planting, keeping the foliage dry.
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins to emerge.

Pro Tip

Prune the entire plant back hard to four inches in late winter; failing to shear them annually results in a woody, sparse center rather than a dense floral carpet.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water at the soil level to keep foliage dry and prevent fungal diseases.
Prune back hard to about four inches in late winter to stimulate dense flowering growth.
Clear away fallen leaves in autumn to reduce overwintering black spot spores.

Don't

Do not use overhead irrigation, which encourages powdery mildew and black spot.
Do not prune into old, dead, leafless wood that lacks viable buds.
Do not apply heavy pruning late in the season, which prevents the plant from hardening off before winter.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Pest Check
Prune
Winter Prep

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

GroundcoverMass PlantingBorder EdgingErosion Control

Companion Plants

Salvia Nepeta Lavandula Geranium

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Sweet Drift Rose questions

What zones can Sweet Drift Rose grow in?

Sweet Drift Rose is hardy in USDA Zones 4–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Sweet Drift Rose deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Sweet Drift Rose, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Sweet Drift Rose bloom?

Sweet Drift Rose typically blooms in mid spring through fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Sweet Drift Rose need full sun?

Sweet Drift Rose does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Sweet Drift Rose drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Sweet Drift Rose handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.