Knockout roses are repeat flowering roses that are highly resistant to disease. Repeat flowering means that they send out a new flush of flowers very 4 - 6 weeks depending on conditions, and if you deadhead them they are sometimes even quicker to re flower.
General Care
- Plant Knockout in full sun try for at least 6 hours of sun a day
- Use a humus rich free draining soil
- Mulch around the rose to provide a cool root run
- Water in the morning and water the soil, not the plant
- Grow from zone 4 through to 10 (they are tough)
- Fertilize from spring every 3-4 weeks during the growing season.
Planting Knockout Roses
- Water the rose in the pot the day before planting, give it a good soak
- Find a position in full sun with a goo airflow
- Dig a hole twice as big as the pot
- Dig in some well rotted compost
- Plant the rose at the same level as it was in the pot
- Firm down the soil and water in well
- Use a weak seaweed fertilizer solution, or a vermicaste tea, this helps promote root growth and reduce transplant shock
- DO NOT add rose fertilizer to the planting hole
- Begin to fertilize when new growth starts
or try growing a Knockout Rose in a pot or container on a sunny patio
All roses need a little pruning, some more than others, however with a little care and the right tools it's really straightforward.
When to Prune Knockout Roses
The best time to prune roses is when they are dormant so we are looking at late winter to early spring, and Knockout Roses are no different. So start by removing any dead or diseases wood with some sharp lean Secateurs or loppers.
Next take a look at the plant and decide which growth looks good and strong and which looks thin and weak. Remove any thin weak growth.
After this it's pruning to size and shape.
How much do you need to prune back the rose bush, after the rose is established 2-3 years about 1/3 a year is generally accepted, if the rose is small and young, hold back on heavy pruning for the first year.
It's always a good idea to ask your rose grower for advice when you purchase.
Ongoing Care and trimming of Knockout Roses
And as for the rest of the year, when the plant is growing and flowering, remember to deadhead, remove old flowers, again with sharp Secateurs and remember to cut back to just above a bud. Deadheading encourages a new flush of flowers, and as Knockout roses are a repeat flowering rose you will what to make the most of this. Deadheading also removes unsightly old flower heads and helps prevent disease and dieback
Fertilizer needs to be applied in spring, we suggest using a specialist rose fertilizer for best results. |
