The Lazy Gardener’s Guide to a Truly Knock Out Rose
Posted: Wednesday, February 08, 2006
by lorien1973
Online Discount Mart Home & Garden Decor
The rose is the most recognized flower on the planet, and it is certainly the hand’s down favorite. No matter what new form or color, whether it has thorns or not, everyone knows and loves the rose. There are roses that have an old world “rose" fragrance and there are new hybrids that run the gamut of scents from clove to citrus to musk. I have witnessed the original Knock Out Rose devoured in a day by Japanese beetles, and immediately fight back with stronger, healthier growth. None of my other roses made it in the year that was good for beetles and bad for my garden. I chalked the devastation up to experience, and went into the house and cried. The next day I went out to pull up the mess, and lo and behold, the Knock Out roses had buds. By evening those buds turned into tiny leaves. I had never seen anything like it! My two Knock Out roses fought back and not only recovered, they won the war!
The astounding Knock Out rose will make a believer out of the gardener who shrinks from back breaking labor, trying to remove yards of imperfect dirt while trucking in dump-loads of the perfect replacement. Knock Out is ideal for the gardener who does not want to spend hard earned dollars purchasing just the right rose, which may or may not survive. And for the person who must spend that bloom-time indoors, due to allergies or asthma, these are the carefree roses for you. Now there are five incredible Knock Out roses to choose from:
- Red Knock Out Rose: This is the original. It will grow anywhere. It begins blooming heavily in spring, and it continues blooming until that first heavy frost. The heaviest blooms are in the cooler days of spring and fall, but it is a non-stop bloomer even in the hottest months. It needs no pruning or deadheading, although it can take a hard pruning in the spring, and it will spread out, cranking out blooms like crazy. It’s a fast grower, disease resistant, and laughs at black spot! Height to 5 feet.
- Pink Knock Out Rose: This is a sister of Red Knock Out. It is resistant to black spot, beetles, mildew, and drought. It produces vivid pink, five petal blooms in clusters, from spring until hard frost. Like Red, Pink Knock Out is self cleaning and needs no dead-heading. It makes a wonderful hedge, foundation plant, or a stand out single specimen. Height to 3 and 1/2 feet.
- Rose Double Knock Out: If you prefer a double rose, then Rose Double Knock Out is the rose for you. With twice the beauty of its sisters, this lovely rose would make a beautiful low hedge or a “knock out" foundation plant. The deep rose colored blooms are followed by burgundy fall foliage in autumn and bright orange rose hips in winter. Its resistance to Japanese beetles, leafhoppers, and rose midge is exceptional. Height 3 feet.
- Rose Home Run: This is the newest relative of the Knock Out shrub rose family. Even more resistant to black spot and downy mildew than its famous parent, this is the all time easiest rose to grow in hot humid climates. The more than 3 inch single blooms are a beautiful flame-red, with gorgeous golden “eyes." It also blooms from spring until hard frost. Height 3 feet.
- Brite Eyes Climbing Rose: This new introduction for 2006 was bred by the famous Knockout rosarian William Radler. Brite Eyes is the most black spot resistant climbing rose ever introduced, simply perfect for the lazy gardener. With salmon-pink single blooms and yellow centers, Brite Eyes emits a light pleasant fragrance. It repeat blooms several times during the summer and on into autumn. Bright Eyes works beautifully trained on a trellis, an arbor, or a fence, and it tops out at only 8 feet tall. If you can only purchase one climbing rose, this is the one to choose.
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Top-level comments on this article: (9 total)If I wasn't already sold on knockout roses, this well written rave would do it!
yes i have the red knock out rose. i have one question.went to check my roses this morning and found a grey with white tiny spots on its back worm on my roses.i have had my roses two years. first insect i have found. HELP
This article was very, very helpful. Please where can I find KNOCKOUT ROSES like yesterday. Evelyn Daly from Florida
I had given up trying to grow roses several times. 2 years ago I discovered Double Knockout. Everything good that is said about them is true.
These are the most amazing plants. Previous attempts to grow roses, even those advertised as hardy, were disasters. But these are gorgeous, and practically maintenance-free. I love them!!!
We just purchased four Double Knock- Outs for containers and looking foreward to years of beauty.
I am new to gardening and found the knock-out roses was the way to go. I am now addicted to these roses and want to plant them every where.
Bought my first double Knock Out Rose last summer. It bloomed all summer until frost. Wintered over very well with no protecttion. When it started blooming this spring I counted at least 40 blooms. No problems with black spot or insects. The easiest rose there is to grow besides being just beautiful. Am planning on buying more.
Great article! We pulled up old, ugly evergreen shrubs in a large area in front of our house last year. It took me as long to decide what to plant there. We went with a mass planting of 24 red and sunny knockout roses. They are babies now, but, wow, are they beautiful! Heads are turning and the compliments keep coming.
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