About Knock out Roses

Roses that bloom in abundance with little care or maintenance sound like a gardener's dream. In fact, Knock Out roses are the dream come true. From the moment they were created, these roses met the standard of true rose beauty with added benefits that many roses lack. Does this Spark an idea?

History

In 2000, Knock Roses were introduced to rave reviews. The stunning reds of this newcomer were an instant hit with rose gardeners. Taking a coveted All-American Rose Selection award in 2000, Knock Out roses offered the total package. Today, they rank near the top in popularity, as growers and nurseries work to keep up with demand.

Features

Knock Out roses are hardy shrub plants that typically grow to a height of 3 feet and approximately the same width. Their blooms grow in clusters of brilliant variations of pinks and reds, consistently blooming from spring until fall. Properly pruned and cared for, Knock Out roses are considered winter hardy plants that come back easily the next spring. They are suggested for planting zones four through nine.

Benefits

As a result of their uniform growth as shrubs, Knock Out roses can work effectively for seasonal hedges and borders, along with select evergreens to balance their wintering season. But their greatest benefit is a resistance to disease, which can devastate many roses. Their creator, William Radler of Wisconsin, worked many years to develop a premiere disease-resistant rose. Knock Out roses are the result and are, indeed, extremely disease-resistant in addition to being quite easy to maintain and simply gorgeous.

Considerations

Although Knock Out roses are very low maintenance, they are not maintenance-free. Like the majority of roses, full sun is recommended. If you feel your flowers are in need of pruning, prune in early spring. It is best to prune before new plant growth occurs, but after the threat of frost. Do not cut back in the fall, no matter how tempted you might be. You can damage the plant and new growth will suffer. Use fertilizer several times throughout the growing season and keep the soil moist, but well drained.

Expert Insight

According to The Knock Out Rose website of The Conard-Pyle Co., Knock Out roses are self-cleaning (meaning, they do not require deadheading), and are the most disease-resistant rose on the market. Given this, along with the wide planting range and the simplicity of annual pruning, Knock Out roses are a natural selection for novice rose gardeners and experts, alike.

Resources

• The Knock Out Rose website