Knock Out roses are known for their easy care, extended blooming season with repeat flowering, and increased disease resistance when compared to traditional tea roses. These fast-growing, compact, deciduous shrubs can be grown singly or in groups. They work well in borders and cottage gardens, or in mass plantings as ground cover.
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Planting in fall or early spring is best for either container-grown or bare root Knock Outs.
As long as there is enough sunlight, Knock Out roses can be planted just about anywhere in your garden. They will do exceptionally well when planted in south and east-facing areas where they will receive the most sunlight. They will tolerate part shade well; however, flowering may be reduced. Rosa 'Radcor' and Rosa 'Radrazz' are better suited for part-shade locations.
Dig a planting hole to a depth the same as the root ball and about twice as wide. Remove the Knock Out from its container and gently loosen the roots at the bottom. Place it in the ground and backfill the hole. Make sure that the base of the plant is level with the surrounding soil. Finish off by watering thoroughly at the base of the plant. To help retain moisture and block out weeds, a layer of mulch can be placed around the plant.
Knock Outs prefer slightly acidic, well-drained soil.
A light pruning to maintain shape and size can be done in late winter or early spring while still dormant. This will help keep your Knock Outs healthy and promote growth in spring. Although deadheading is not needed, it will encourage re-flowering.
Mature Knock Out roses will benefit from a general purpose or rose fertilizer applied regularly during the growing season. Stop fertilizing a month before your first frost date. Do not fertilize Knock Out roses immediately after planting—it is best to let them establish through a complete bloom cycle first.
Water regularly during the first growing season to allow a good root system to develop. After that, a good guideline is to water when the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry. It is best to water them deeply and in the morning. Although they are drought tolerant, a good layer of mulch will help retain moisture during hot or dry periods.
Knock Outs have greatly improved disease resistance when compared to traditional tea roses and often require no fungicide treatments.
In most cases, a few inches of mulch is all your Knock Outs will need to protect them over the winter. If temperatures are forecast to drop well below freezing, you may want to cover your Knock Out roses with a frost blanket or wrap them in burlap.
Useful as a semiformal deciduous hedge or to camouflage discolored fence bottoms.
For season-long color, use in perennial beds and borders.
Due to their smaller size, mass plantings as ground cover or groupings will have the biggest impact.
Use cut flowers for floral designs.
Perfect size for use in containers to frame a door or entryway, or as an accent on a patio.
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Photo by: Tikta Alik / Shutterstock.
Photo by: Stephen Daniels / Alamy Stock Photo.
Photo by: Frank Paul / Alamy Stock Photo.
Watch to learn the steps for properly planting a Knock Out rose in a pot (from Monrovia).
See how to plant a container-grown Knock Out rose in a garden bed (from Brighter Blooms Nursery).
Get ideas for how-to use Knock Out® Roses in your garden (from Star Roses & Plants).