Scarlet Drift® Groundcover Rose

Rosa 'Scarlet Drift'

Nature Hills Nursery

Hardy in zones 5-11, thrives in heat and adapts to a wide range of soil conditions once established
The earliest-blooming Drift® Rose variety, delivering vivid scarlet-red flowers from spring all the way through the first hard frost
Exceptionally disease-resistant glossy foliage resists black spot and powdery mildew without spraying
Compact spreading habit stays 1-2 ft tall and 1-2 ft wide, making it ideal for borders, slopes, containers, and small spaces

$59¹¹

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Plant Size

#2 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Aim for at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Plants in partial shade will still grow but will produce noticeably fewer blooms and become more susceptible to disease over time.

Soil: Scarlet Drift® performs best in well-drained, moderately fertile soil. It tolerates a range of soil types including sandy and loamy soils. In clay-heavy ground, work in compost and coarse grit to improve drainage, or consider a raised bed. Good air circulation around the plant also helps keep the foliage clean and healthy.

Watering Requirements

Water deeply two to three times per week during the first growing season to help the root system get established. Once settled in, Scarlet Drift® is fairly drought tolerant and can get by on about an inch of water per week, either from rain or supplemental irrigation. Avoid overhead watering whenever possible, as wet foliage sitting overnight encourages fungal problems even on this disease-resistant variety.

Pruning Tips

Scarlet Drift® is a self-cleaning rose, meaning spent blooms drop on their own without deadheading. For best performance, give the plant a light shearing in early spring before new growth begins, cutting stems back by about one-third. You can also do a light trim mid-season if the plant starts to look leggy, which will encourage a fresh flush of blooms within a few weeks.

Fertilizer Needs

Feed Scarlet Drift® with a balanced slow-release rose fertilizer in early spring when growth begins, and again after the first big flush of blooms in early summer. A granular formula with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium works well. Avoid heavy nitrogen-only fertilizers, as they push leafy growth at the expense of flowers and can make the plant more vulnerable to aphid pressure.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

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

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Disease resistant, Drought resistant, Fragrant, Flowering, Attracts pollinators, Low Maintenance, Groundcover, Fast-growing
Hardiness Zone	5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	1-2 ft
Width	1-2 ft
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Climbing, Spreading, Trailing, Upright
Blooms In	Spring, Summer, Fall
Flower Color	Red
Foliage Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Pet Safety	Toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Outdoors, Container
Plant Name	Rose
Botanical Name	Rosa 'Meibenbino'
Species	hybrid
Cultivar	Meibenbino
Class	Magnoliopsida, Rosales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

If you've ever wanted a rose that truly takes care of itself, Scarlet Drift® (Rosa 'MEIdelvega') is the one. Part of the Drift® Groundcover Rose series bred by Meilland International, this compact spreader covers itself in vivid scarlet-red blooms from early spring right through fall frost, making it one of the longest-blooming roses you can plant. It's earned a reputation as the earliest of all the Drift® varieties to flower, which means your garden gets a jolt of color before most other roses have even opened a bud.

What It Looks Like

Each bloom is a small, semi-double flower in a rich scarlet shade, held in clusters above a mound of glossy, deep green foliage. The plant stays low and tidy, typically reaching one to two feet tall with a similar spread, making it one of the more compact options in the Drift® lineup. The foliage itself is one of the standout features: it stays clean and dense through the season with strong natural resistance to black spot and powdery mildew, which means you spend your weekends enjoying the garden instead of treating it.

How to Use It in the Landscape

Scarlet Drift® is at its best when you let it do what it was bred to do: spread and cover. Plant it along the front of a mixed border where it can spill forward gracefully, or use it in mass plantings on slopes where its dense habit helps suppress weeds. It's equally at home in containers and window boxes, where the compact size and repeat bloom habit make it a reliable performer all season. Try pairing it with ornamental grasses or silver-foliaged perennials like Stachys for a striking contrast.

Wildlife Value and Season-Long Interest

The open-faced blooms are attractive to bees and butterflies throughout the season, providing a consistent nectar source from spring through fall. Unlike many roses that put on a show in June and then fade, Scarlet Drift® keeps cycling through bloom flushes without missing a beat.

Why This Rose Stands Out

For gardeners who love roses but not the work that traditional hybrid teas demand, Scarlet Drift® closes that gap entirely. No complex spray schedules, no wrestling with disease-prone foliage, and no worrying about whether it will rebloom. It simply grows, blooms, and keeps going. Whether you're planting one as a focal point or a dozen across a hillside, this rose delivers season-long color with minimal demands on your time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

- What hardiness zones do Scarlet Drift® Roses grow in?

Scarlet Drift® Roses are hardy in USDA zones 4-10, making them suitable for most of the United States. They tolerate both cold winters and hot summers well. Plant them in spring after your last frost date for best establishment.

- What is the ideal time of year to plant Drift® Roses?

Plant Drift® Roses in early spring after the last frost or in fall 6-8 weeks before your first hard freeze. Spring planting gives them a full season to establish their root system before winter. Shop Nature Hills for healthy, nursery-grown plants ready to thrive in your landscape.

- What soil pH do Drift® Roses prefer?

Drift® Roses thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. They're quite adaptable and will tolerate a wider range, but optimal flowering occurs in well-draining soil within this range. Test your soil and amend with compost if needed.

- How often should I water Drift® Roses?

Water Drift® Roses deeply once or twice weekly during their first growing season to establish roots. Once established, these drought-tolerant roses need watering only during extended dry periods. Water at soil level in early morning to keep foliage dry and prevent disease.

- Are Drift® Roses disease resistant?

Drift® Roses show excellent natural resistance to black spot and powdery mildew, the two most common rose diseases. Their glossy foliage stays clean through the season without regular fungicide treatments. For best disease prevention, plant with good air circulation and shop disease-resistant varieties at naturehills.com.

Scarlet Drift® Groundcover Rose

Rosa 'Scarlet Drift'