Knockout Roses

Knockout roses are a low maintenance family of roses that have become the most widely grown variety since their introduction in 2000. It is a low-maintenance, virtually disease free, and available in a full range of colors. It is one of the best shrubs to grow in the landscape or in containers.

Features of Knockout Roses

When looking for spectacular features in a plant, knockout roses are at the top of the list. They are self-cleaning, requiring no deadheading. These plants bloom continuously, every five to six weeks from spring until a hard frost. They are disease resistant and immune to many common rose diseases, requiring no spraying. The plants grow to about four feet tall and three feet wide, but can be pruned to establish and maintain a smaller size. They make beautiful hedge plantings or focal points in a flowerbed. In containers, knockout roses only require daily watering and weekly fertilizing to have continuous low-maintenance potted roses.

Planting

The key to having low maintenance knockout roses is correct planting. Plant them in well-drained soil where they will receive at least four to six hours of sun daily. A soil pH between six and seven is best for these roses. Dig a hole large enough to spread the roots across. Add some compost to the planting hole. For a bare-root plant, the bud union should sit one inch above the soil level in warm climates or just below soil level in regions with colder winters. For a potted plant, the bud union should sit at the same soil level it was at in the pot. Create a mound of soil in the center of the hole and spread the roots over and around it. Backfill and water well. Fertilize with a diluted rose fertilizer. Add a layer of mulch for moisture retention, but avoid placing the mulch directly against the stem.

Care and Maintenance

Use a rose fertilizer after each bloom cycle. Prune in late winter to early spring, during the plant's dormant period. Dead or damaged wood should be removed first, then shape the plant by removing some interior or crossing stems. This opens the plant up to better air circulation. These plants can be cut back severely to control their size, without damaging the plant. No special cutting is required when pruning. Every two or three years, refresh the plant by removing one-third of the old branches.

Varieties of Knockout Roses

Whether you are looking for pink, lavender, white, cream, red or yellow flowers, there is a variety of knockout rose to suit your needs. Single and double knockout are available. The original Knockout Rose is a cherry red/hot pink single flower; Blushing has light pink flowers; Sunny has bright yellow and white petaled blooms; Rainbow has coral flowers with yellow centers; Pink Double has deep pink double flowers; Pink is a bright pink single flower; and Double Knockout is a bright red double flower.

These easy-care roses are wonderful additions to the landscape and are sure to find a spot in every home garden.