- **Type**: Evergreen or semi-evergreen groundcover rose (shrub rose)

- **Height**: 1 to 1.5 feet (30 to 45 cm)

- **Width**: 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm)

- **Growth Habit**: Low, spreading, mounding, compact; ideal as a groundcover

- **Foliage**:

- Small, oval, glossy leaves, 1 to 2 inches long (2.5 to 5 cm)

- Dark green, semi-evergreen in mild climates, deciduous in colder zones

- **Flowers**:

- Small, double, vibrant red blooms

- 1 to 1.5 inches across (2.5 to 4 cm), borne in clusters

- Bloom season: Late spring to frost (May to November), continuous in mild climates

- Lightly fragrant, attracts bees and butterflies

- **Light**: Full sun (6+ hours daily) for best flowering and disease resistance; tolerates light shade

- **Soil**:

- Well-drained, fertile, loamy; slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5 to 7.0)

- **Watering**: Moderate; keep soil evenly moist, especially during establishment and bloom; drought-tolerant once established

- **Hardiness**: USDA Zones 4 to 11 (-30°F or -34°C to 40°F or 4°C)

- **Wildlife**: Attracts pollinators (bees, butterflies); not reliably deer-resistant

- **Care**:

- Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead wood and shape (cut back by one-third)

- Fertilize with a rose-specific mix (e.g., 10-10-10 or 9-18-9) in spring and midsummer

- Mulch 2-3 inches deep to retain moisture and reduce weeds; deadheading optional (self-cleaning)

- **Pests/Diseases**:

- Highly disease-resistant (black spot, powdery mildew), outperforms many traditional roses

- May see aphids, spider mites, or Japanese beetles; monitor in humid conditions

- **Uses**: Groundcover, borders, mass plantings, containers, or low edging

- **Growth Rate**: Moderate; reaches mature size in 1-2 seasons

- **Special Features**:

- Part of the Drift® Rose series by Star Roses and Plants, bred for toughness and low maintenance

- Patent PP17877 (‘Meigalpio’)

- Cross between groundcover and miniature roses, delivering prolific blooms and wide adaptability

The Red Drift Rose’s striking red flowers and glossy, dark green foliage make it a vibrant, low-maintenance option for adding bold color to gardens or containers, thriving across a broad climate range with minimal care. Its petite size and spreading habit ensure a carpet of blooms from late spring to frost with excellent disease resistance. Let me know if you’d like more care tips or planting suggestions!