When introduced 25 years ago, Knock Out Roses transformed residential landscaping. With its resistance to diseases, pests and extreme weather, the compact shrub opened the door to bring roses to gardens across the South.
In the past 25 years, Knock Outs’ continuous bloom cycle and low-maintenance performance have been augmented by the development of other cultivars in a wide range of bloom types and colors.
The newest introductions are:
Easy Beezy Knock Out Rose blooms.
Easy Bee-zy Knock Out delivers flower power like no other with fragrant yellow flowers that bloom repeatedly from spring to frost. Reaching a modest height and spread of approximately 3 to 4 feet, they can be planted individually, in a group, or mixed with other perennials, shrubs or roses. The fragrance and nectar-rich blossoms attract butterflies and bees, enhancing the natural beauty of your garden. It grows in zones 4-11.
Orange Glow Knock Out boasts double orange blooms touched with coral, pink, and yellow shades throughout the cuplike petals. Its incredible rust resistance makes it a top performer in every climate that performs best in zones 5-11. Plant individually, in a group, or with other perennials, shrubs, or roses.
In the past few years, Star Roses has delivered both Easy Bee-zy and Orange Glow. They also sent me two Petit Knock Outs, with delicate bright-red blooms on shrubs that grow about 18 to 20 inches tall.
When I received them, I promptly planted them in containers so that I could showcase these them at my front door, on our patio and deck and protect them from deer. In containers it’s easy to keep up with watering the soil first thing in the morning. And remember to apply a couple of inches of mulch – careful not too close to the stems – to hold in moisture.
Growing a cultivar
The first cultivar, RADrazz, produced single cherry red/hot pink blooms against deep purplish green foliage. The rose brought another dimension to the garden with its subtle but sweet fragrance, drawing passersby in for a closer look.
Created by Wisconsin breeder William Radler in 1988, the first Knock Outs were tested by the Conard-Pyle Company/Star Roses before they were released to the marketplace. By 2000, Knock Outs had won the prestigious All-America Rose award and was introduced through nurseries and box retailers.
In fact, Knock Out quickly became the fastest selling new rose in history, with 250,000 sold the first year alone.
Easy care
Orange Glow Knock Out Rose blooms
It’s April so it may be too late for a major pruning, but certainly removing any dead blooms from last season and taking branches down several inches will help stimulate growth. If your shrubs have begun to set buds, don’t prune this year, but instead do selective branch length.
Like all roses, Knock Outs thrive in full sun or very light shade. The soil should be well-draining; remember to mulch.
The joy of Knock Outs is their ability to continue to bloom all season without much deadheading. However, if you want bigger flushes of blossoms, consider light dead-heading a couple of times per season. This will stimulate new growth and more bud and bloom production.
Deep watering at the base of the plant less frequently will help the roots grow deeper.
Apply a balanced – 10-10-10 – fertilizer after the first wave of blooms; they should not be fertilized in the late summer as they begin to approach dormancy.
The Star Roses family of Knock Outs are still one of the best-selling roses in North America. Its collection now features 12 varieties, with single and double blooms in colors ranging from white and pale pink to yellow, various shades of orange and deep reds.
Learn more about The Knock Out family of roses at www.knockoutroses.com.
Star Roses and Plants has been bringing great plants to the world’s gardens since 1897 and continues to introduce breakthrough roses, shrubs and edibles. Their most notable brands include The Knock Out Family of Roses, Drift Roses, Bushel and Berry, and Bloomables. Star Roses and Plants is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ball Horticultural.
For more information, visit www.starrosesandplants.com.
Photos: by Pamela A. Keene
