From the folks who brought us the Knock Out rose; now comes the next generation of disease free roses called the Drift series of roses. Gardeners and rose growers are constantly searching for roses that are easy to grow and are environmentally friendly, requiring no chemical sprays. The folks at Star Roses & Plants have been hard at work to develop varieties that meet our needs. First, with the Knock Out series of roses which came roaring onto the market in the 1990’s and forever changed the way we think about growing roses; they have now become a staple in the American landscape. Grown in mass plantings or as a standalone shrub, they provide striking color from early spring till first frost and can grow to be six feet tall if left to their own devices.

1. Apricot Drift Rose

Apricot Drift – Double flowers providing a multitude of apricot colored blooms that makes a subtle statement in the garden. Hardy in zones 4-11.

2. Coral Drift Rose

Coral Drift – This bright orange/ coral blend is a real eye-catcher in the garden. These look awesome planted with similar colored plants in a mixed border. Hardy in zones 4-11.

3. Peach Drift Rose

Peach Drift – This rose is known to be one of the most hardy and floriferous of the series, known for its bloompower and beautiful color. This rose loves its garden friends and does well planted with perennials for a lastingdisplay of flowers. Hardy in zones 4-11.

4. Pink Drift Rose

Pink Drift – This rose produces dark pink blooms with a brilliant yellow stamen that will spread to three feet insome gardens and will make a striking statement when planted in a mass on a hillside or anywhere a burst of lowgrowing color is needed. Hardy in zones 4-11

5. Red Drift Rose

Red Drift – I grow this rose in a large container in my side garden. Its tiny dark red blooms create a mass of color throughout the season. Would also be great planted as a low growing border in your garden. Hardy in zones 4-11.

6. Sweet Drift Rose

Sweet Drift – If you love soft pink roses, this rose is a must have in your garden. The double light pink blooms on dark green foliage are sure to please. Hardy in zones 4-11.

7. Popcorn Drift Rose

Popcorn Drift - The latest introduction in this series is a mutation or "sport" of Peach Drift and provides yellow blooms that fade to white. When you see it, you too will say it looks like popcorn! Hardy in zones 5-11.

I met Jacques Ferare, Vice President of Product Development at Star Roses & Plants earlier this spring during P. Allen Smith's annual Garden 2 Blog event in Little Rock Arkansas, and he told us that this series of roses and most roses that are in commerce today under go about ten years of testing and trials before they come to market. "We work diligently to provide disease resistant, pest tolerant roses for customers gardens", Ferare said. We'll have an in depth interview with Mr. Ferare on Rose Chat Radio on Saturday July 27, 2013 at 9:30 am CT and we invite you to join us for the LIVE broadcast. It's a call in show and we welcome your calls and questions at 347-677-1870. You can email questions in advance to GROW@RoseChat.info and afterwards the show will be available on-demand on the website and via iTunes free of charge. Visit Blogtalkradio.com/RoseChat for details and a full schedule of broadcasts.

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