Red Drift® Groundcover Rose

Rosa 'Meigalpio'

Compact Groundcover: Matures to 1-2 feet tall; spreads 2-3 feet wide to suppress weeds.
No Deadheading: Self-cleaning flowers drop naturally for continuous red blooms from spring to frost.
Wide Hardiness: Thrives in Zones 4-11, handling harsh northern winters and humid southern summers.
Disease Resistant: Superior genetics resist black spot and mildew; no chemical sprays required.

$52⁵⁰ $59⁶⁹

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Plant Size

#1 Container #2 Container

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Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Flowering, Attracts pollinators, Cold hardy, Disease resistant, and Groundcover

Specifications

Botanical Name

Rosa 'Meigalpio'
Height

1-2 ft
Width

2-3 ft
Growing Zones

4-11
Sunlight
- Full sun
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- Red
Leaf Color
- Green
Fall Color

Green
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Pollinator Required

No
Bloom Period

Late Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Late Fall
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Place your rose where it will receive a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily for maximum flower production and dense, healthy foliage. While partial shade is acceptable (four to six hours), the trade off will be slightly diminished color intensity and fewer blooms overall.
Soil: Red Drift® performs best in rich, loamy soil that drains well, as roses intensely dislike sitting in soggy conditions. If your garden has heavy clay, incorporate liberal amounts of coarse compost and pine bark fines into the planting area to significantly improve aeration and drainage.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water deeply two to three times per week, soaking the area to encourage a robust, deep root system that can handle summer heat. Once established, this rose is quite drought tolerant but performs best with about an inch of water per week from rain or irrigation. Inconsistent watering during peak summer will cause stress, leading to smaller individual blooms and fewer subsequent flowering cycles.

Pruning Tips

Like all modern landscape roses, the Red Drift® blooms exclusively on new wood that is produced during the current season. The ideal time for major pruning is in late winter or very early spring, just before the new growth buds begin to swell. Simply use sharp pruners to cut back the entire shrub by approximately one third its size; this hard, rejuvenating cut removes old canes and ensures a vigorous flush of bloom ready for spring.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release granular rose fertilizer, or an all purpose blend like 10-10-10, in early spring as soon as you see new growth emerging. A second, lighter application after the first major bloom flush in early summer is all your mature plant needs to fuel continuous flowering. What you must avoid is applying any high nitrogen fertilizer after midsummer, because it stimulates tender new growth that will be easily killed off by the first hard frost.

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Growing Zones 4-11

Find Your Growing Zone!

You want the classic romance of roses without the high-maintenance drama usually attached to them. The Red Drift® Groundcover Rose solves that problem by carpeting your landscape in petite, double red blooms from spring until the first hard frost. This isn't just a shrub; it is a problem-solving machine that fills empty spaces with vibrant color while asking for very little in return.

Unlike traditional fussy varieties, this Rosa 'Meigalpio' hybrid is bred specifically for toughness and ease. You won't need to spend your weekends spraying for black spot or mildew because natural disease resistance is built right into its genetics. It is a self-cleaning variety, meaning the old petals drop off cleanly on their own. You can put away the shears because no deadheading is required to keep the flowers coming. If you are looking for a Red Drift rose for sale that delivers maximum impact with minimal effort, this is the industry standard.

How tall do Red Drift roses grow? This variety stays compact and manageable. Expect a mature height of just 1 to 2 feet and a spread of 2 to 3 feet. For a seamless carpet of color, space your plants about 3 to 4 feet apart.

Success starts with sun. Give this plant at least six hours of direct sunlight a day and it will reward you with nonstop performance. It thrives across a massive range of climates, from the heat of Zone 11 all the way down to the chilly winters of Zone 4. While they are incredibly hardy, remember that while they resist diseases well, they are not deer resistant. If you garden in an area with heavy deer pressure, you may need some protection.

The show starts in early spring when deep green foliage emerges, quickly followed by clusters of soft red flowers with yellow centers. While other plants fade in the summer heat, this groundcover rose red variety keeps pumping out blooms right into autumn. In warmer southern zones, you might even see color persist well into winter.

This ground-hugging habit makes it the ideal choice for controlling erosion on tricky slopes or cascading over rock walls where mowing is difficult. It works beautifully as a low border in front of taller shrubs or even as a "spiller" in patio containers. If you have a sunny spot that looks a bit bare, this is the filler you need.

Get your garden ready for a season of effortless color by adding these hardy performers to your landscape plan today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What zones are Red Drift roses hardy in?

Red Drift roses are hardy in USDA growing zones 4 through 11. They tolerate extreme winter cold in the north as well as high heat and humidity in southern regions, making them adaptable across most of the United States.

How tall do Red Drift roses grow?

A mature Red Drift rose grows 1 to 2 feet tall and spreads 2 to 3 feet wide. This compact, spreading habit makes them an ideal groundcover for suppressing weeds and covering large areas on slopes or banks.

Do you have to deadhead Drift roses?

No, you do not have to deadhead Drift roses because they are self-cleaning. Old blooms drop off naturally, allowing the plant to rebloom continuously from spring until frost without the need for manual pruning of spent flowers.

How much sun do Drift roses need?

Drift roses need full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for the best blooming performance. While they can tolerate light shade, planting them in full sun ensures vigorous growth and maximum disease resistance.

Are Drift roses deer resistant?

No, Drift roses are not considered deer resistant. Like most rose varieties, they are susceptible to deer damage, so you may need to use repellents or fencing if you live in an area with heavy deer pressure.

When should I prune Red Drift roses?

The best time to prune Red Drift roses is in early spring, just before new growth begins. Cut the plants back by about one-third to remove dead wood and encourage a flush of fresh, dense growth for the new season.

Do Red Drift roses attract butterflies?

Yes, Red Drift roses attract butterflies and other pollinators to the garden. Their open flower form makes nectar accessible, supporting local pollinator populations while adding vibrant color to your landscape.

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

Red Drift® Groundcover Rose

Rosa 'Meigalpio'

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