The Peach Drift Rose Is The Perfect Shrub To Plant If You're Short On Space

When you're short on garden space, every plant you choose needs to earn its keep. If you're looking for a beautiful and fragrant option to add to your small garden, consider the 'Peach Drift' rose (Rosa 'Meiggili'). It will not only bring a riot of color to your yard with flowers in a stunning patchwork of peach shades but also a lovely fragrance. Plus, for those low on space or looking for moveable options, you can grow Peach Drift in a pot.

In general, dwarf plants are a great option for small garden spaces, but Drift roses, in particular, stands out as a must-have. Since a Peach Drift bush is low-growing — it does not get more than 2 feet tall or 3 feet wide – it is an excellent ground cover option. It blooms flowers from spring to fall, and remains evergreen through the winter. This means you will get multiple seasons of enjoyment out of your Peach Drift bush. Plus, Drift roses are disease-resistant and can be grown in USDA Zones 4-11, meaning you can consider this multi-faceted plant almost anywhere. Also, if peach doesn't fit into your garden's existing color scheme, another colored rose in the Drift series could be worth considering.

Like most roses, Drift rose bushes requires 6 hours of sun or more. Once you've found a sunny spot, dig a hole that's twice the size of your plant's root ball, and loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole. Place your plant into this hole, and replace the soil — or add amendments to the soil to give the bush an added boost. While there are many expert tips on perfecting your soil for thriving roses, it's most important to remember to water your rose thoroughly and regularly for the first couple of weeks, until the rose is established. If you are planting Drift rose bush in a pot, choose one that is at least twice the size of the root ball.

If you want to maintain the height and shape of your Peach Drift you will need to cut it back once a year. Using sheers or pruners, you should aim to cut the plant back to roughly 6 to 8 inches high. Do this in late winter or early spring when you start to see new growth, and keep in mind that you can expect the plant to triple in size over the next season. After a bloom you can deadhead the spent blooms if you would like, but these roses are considered self-cleaning so it's not necessary.

It may be tempting to plant a sea of Peach Drift roses, but even in the smallest garden variety is important. However, that doesn't mean you need to use a ton of plant varieties. In fact, sometimes less is more when it comes to designing a garden, and using only a few varieties can have more visual impact than a hodgepodge of planting.

There are many good companion plants for roses, and any of them will work with a Peach Drift bush. However, some are still better than others. Alliums, in particular, come in many forms and can make great companions for roses. Garlic and onions fall into this category, so if you also want an edible garden, these could do double-duty. There are also ornamental alliums like 'Millenium' which can add a pop of textured purple, and height to any garden. They also attract pollinators and repel pests. The best part is they don't compete with roses for nutrients, so they can work well in smaller spaces.

Cat mint (Nepeta racemosa) can also be a good option. It flowers from May to September, right alongside your roses. It also adapts easily to dry soil and full sunlight. With no serious pest problems and relatively little care required, it can make a good addition to any garden. It also happen to be a favorite of pollinators like bees and hoverflies.