Distant Drums® Rose Bush

Unusual, romantic, and constantly changing, Distant Drums® is a truly distinctive shrub rose prized for its extraordinary blend of lavender, mauve, dusty pink, and warm caramel tones. Bred by legendary American rose hybridizer Dr. Griffith Buck, this captivating variety offers the charm of an old-fashioned rose with a color palette unlike almost anything else in the garden.

The magic of Distant Drums® begins as its pointed buds open to reveal warm bronze, tan, and caramel-colored centers surrounded by smoky lavender and orchid-pink outer petals. As the flowers mature, the colors gradually soften into shades of mauve, dusty rose, and lavender. Because blooms at different stages appear on the plant simultaneously, a mature shrub can display an extraordinary range of colors at one time.

Its large, beautifully formed flowers open into full, cupped blooms with an appealing old-fashioned character. A strong myrrh fragrance with sweet, spicy notes adds another dimension, making Distant Drums® especially rewarding near patios, pathways, and other areas where its unusual perfume can be appreciated.

Distant Drums® develops into a vigorous, upright and bushy shrub with attractive foliage and repeat flowering throughout the growing season. Its unusual coloration also makes it exceptional for cutting, where the subtle blending of antique tones creates unforgettable floral arrangements.

Key Features

Growing Information

Ideal Uses

✔ Cutting Gardens
✔ Cottage Gardens
✔ Mixed Borders
✔ Fragrance Gardens
✔ Dedicated Rose Gardens
✔ Collector Gardens
✔ Landscape Focal Points

Recommended Growing Regions

Distant Drums® is well suited for:

• Northeast

• Mid-Atlantic

• Midwest

• Southeast

• Southwest

• West Coast

• Pacific Northwest

• Intermountain West

A Truly Unique Color Palette

Few roses offer the extraordinary coloration of Distant Drums®. The flowers can display warm caramel and bronze tones at their centers while the outer petals develop cooler shades of lavender, mauve, and dusty pink.

Temperature, sunlight, and the age of each flower can influence the coloring, meaning no two blooms look exactly alike. The result is an ever-changing display with a beautiful antique, vintage quality that makes this rose especially desirable for collectors and floral designers.

Why You’ll Love Distant Drums®

• Extraordinary blend of caramel, bronze, lavender, mauve, and dusty pink

• Flowers change dramatically in color as they mature

• Beautiful old-fashioned, cupped bloom form

• Strong and distinctive myrrh fragrance

• Repeat flowering provides multiple flushes throughout the season

• Wonderful for cutting and sophisticated floral arrangements

• Vigorous, bushy growth creates an attractive landscape specimen

• A legendary Griffith Buck rose unlike almost anything else in the garden

For gardeners searching for something truly different, Distant Drums® delivers an unforgettable combination of color, fragrance, and old-fashioned beauty. Its remarkable blooms shift from warm caramel and bronze to smoky lavender and dusty rose, creating a constantly evolving display that makes this distinctive Griffith Buck rose a treasured addition to any collection.