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 petalsColor: Mauve, tan, smoky lavender, antique apricot (color shifts as flower ages)Fragrance: Strong — myrrh and spiceBloom Time: Repeats from spring through frostHeight: 3–4 ftSpread: 2–3 ftFoliage: Medium green, semi-glossyHabit: Rounded, bushyZone: USDA 5–9Type: Shrub roseBreeder: Dr. Griffith Buck (USA, 1985)Parentage: Seedling × ‘September Song’Awards: Noted for hardiness and disease resistance in cold zonesGeographical Recommendations: Midwest, Northeast, Pacific Northwest, Intermountain West, West Coast, Southwest, Mid-Atlantic
