About Distant Drums Potted Rose Bush

Distant Drums

‘Distant Drums’ is a rose that refuses to behave — and thank goodness. With shifting shades that drift from smoky lavender to parchment-apricot to dusky mauve, no two blooms are ever quite the same. This shrub rose is famous for its moody, unexpected palette and a myrrh scent that’s sharp, clean, and slightly haunting. Bred by Dr. Griffith Buck, it's also famously hardy and disease-resistant, thriving in cold climates with minimal fuss. Not a rose for formality — but perfect for the bold and the poetic.

Flower Form: Full, cupped, 26–40 petals
Color: Mauve, tan, smoky lavender, antique apricot (color shifts as flower ages)
Fragrance: Strong — myrrh and spice
Bloom Time: Repeats from spring through frost
Height: 3–4 ft
Spread: 2–3 ft
Foliage: Medium green, semi-glossy
Habit: Rounded, bushy
Zone: USDA 5–9
Type: Shrub rose
Breeder: Dr. Griffith Buck (USA, 1985)
Parentage: Seedling × ‘September Song’
Awards: Noted for hardiness and disease resistance in cold zones
Geographical Recommendations: Midwest, Northeast, Pacific Northwest, Intermountain West, West Coast, Southwest, Mid-Atlantic