Knockout Roses
What you may not know about Knockout Roses
Some people tend to be intimidated by the thought of growing roses until they come across one of the easiest rose bushes to grow; knockout roses. They are unlike the hybrid roses which need a great deal of knowledge and continuous care on the part of the gardener in order to thrive. In fact, beginner gardeners will find that these will not only change their mind about growing roses, but likely to be the focal point of their landscape.
Types of Roses
Ask several different people how many types of roses exist, and you will receive several different answers. One source gives a number in the thousands while another will provide several hundred. While there are numerous sub-types of these fragrant blooms, roses can be categorized under several different types:
Climbers Grandiflora
Miniature Hybrid
Floribunda Tree
Under each of these classifications are a number of sub varieties of roses. The easiest of all types to grow are the shrub roses, which are under the classification of Floribunda. They are also called landscape roses, simply because they are so amenable to any form of landscape. Coming in a variety of sizes and shapes, shrub roses can be integrated into small yards as easily as into large city parks. Knockout roses are a popular type among this group, providing great color and low maintenance.
Growing Knockouts
Part of the appeal of knockout roses is in their amiable growing nature. They can be found growing in just about every state in the US. While they produce optimal bloom and foliage results when placed in locations receiving full sun, they will do admirably well in partial shade as well. Color variations for the flowers of fire engine red, delicate pink and brilliant yellow will highlight the landscape for several months as this trooper blooms from spring right through fall. As blooms fade, they drop away on their own; minimizing the need for any deadheading or clean up on the plant to keep it looking its best.
Maintaining the roses is a task that can be handled by the most novice gardeners. The plant’s bushy size can be manipulated by the gardener according to the needs of the planting bed through pruning, or it can be allowed to freely achieve their standard 4’ height and approximate 3’ in diameter width. If pruning is desired, late winter or early spring is the best time to tackle the job; cutting the plant back by approximately 1/3 to encourage the best blooming from the plant in the coming season.
Drawbacks of Knockout roses
Likely the first thing to come to mind when thinking about roses is their perfume, a scent that could very well be the most recognizable one among flowers. Unfortunately, this feature does not extend to the knockout variety. Little if any fragrance is emitted from this variety, although rumor has it that the yellow variety called has a scent. Gardeners who enjoy the perfumed characteristic of roses may be disappointed in the knockouts for this reason.
Another drawback of the knockout species is that those seemingly never ending blooms are best enjoyed outdoors. Those who like to admire their roses indoors on long stems in a beautiful crystal vase must either indulge in purchased roses or grow another variety. Knockouts can literally blanket their shrubby foliage, but their stems are short. The blooms, which tend to be on the smaller size, can be enjoyed indoors by floating them in a flat bowl.
For the gardener who seeks beautiful, long lasting rose blooms in their flower beds or landscapes, knockout roses can be the perfect choice. Especially ideal for novice gardeners who want the beauty of the rose but not the constant care, knockouts will likely become the focal point of their landscape.