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New England Gardening

Need Some Insite on 'Knock Out Roses'

17 years ago

Hi All-

Looks like the sun is coming out; about time! I have fallen in love with the Knock Out Rose "Rainbow" and also Knock Out Rose "Blushing Pink" but don't know anyone who has them. I would put them in a SE setting as a foundation planting. I have a problem with deer (to say the least) so I am only going to plant deer resistant flora from now on. I have 2 Fairies that they haven't touched in 5 years. Yesterday they snipped all my wild daylilies and "special daylilies down to the ground. I am so sick of this happening. They even took down my iris foliage and crocus. I love the little darlings but I can't waste any more money hoping they will skip over my yard.

If anyone has any info on the Knock Out series I would love to hear from you. Size, fragrance, any info would be so helpful. I also plan to post this on the Rose forum but this is where I like to lurk since I am something of a newbie. I try but I might have a black thumb. I heard these roses self clean and are pretty disease resistant.

Thanking you in advance,

suebot in CT

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Comments (8)

WendyB 5A/MA
17 years ago
Sorry to hear about your deer problems.

I have Blushing Pink and its very nice. No problems whatsoever. I haven't had it that long so I can't say how well it re-blooms or how big it grows, but here's a picture of it anyhow. This picture was last year and I planted it the year before.
suebot
Original Author
17 years ago
Oh wendyb-

What beautiful gardens you have! Your Knock Out is a knock out. I have to get 1 or 2! I perused your slideshow. You must identify your great plants in pictures 53, 57, 58, 60, 63 (the varigated plant), and 65. I love them but don't recognize them. Do you have problems w/deer in MA? I sincerely hope not but if you do or did you might steer me in the right direction other then fencing in woods on 3 sides of my house.

Thanks for the lovely show,
suebot in CT
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My Whiteout Rose blooms probably more than any other rose I have. It's a great "landscape rose" as many would say. It blooms well, but is not a showy flower or fragrant. It isn't technically a knock out rose. My whiteout faces northwest on a slight slope, so it doesn't get as much sun as it should ideally. It stays about 3' x 3'. My mom grows one and it gets maybe 3.5' x 3.5' and stays in a round bush shape for both of us. It does not blackspot, but gets a touch of PM here in KY for me. It certainly doesn't affect its flowering though. All of my roses this year have holes, which I suppose is caused by thrips. This rose is no exception. I lost it during the harsh winter two years ago. I planted another and it survived this past harsh winter with no protection.
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It may well be too late to think of it, but if you want something lower-growing, some of the Polyanthas might be your answer for generosity of bloom and low stature. In our area, China Doll has been used and used and used because it matches those requirements. For a red, there's Mutterdag (Mother's Day) and Lady Reading. Salmon Pink Margo Koster, and all the rest of the Koster sports (do "Contains" KOSTER in a HMF search, or check Vintage's catalog). I'd use any of those guys before I'd try a Knockout -- Not because I'm a snob, but because Knockouts would be such horses, and because I don't want anything that mildews. In a more modern vein, if you want something truly low-growing, I'd use Kim Rupert's lovely 'Lauren' or 'International Herald Tribune' if I wanted poiple. For White, I might use Pope John Paul (or try the white China, 'Ducher.') For Yellow, gosh, how about Julia Child? For red, I'd really go back to Mother's Day. Jeri
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I'm partial to Limericks. - There once was a fellow named Beebee, wished to wed with a lady named Phoebe. But he said, "I must see what the minister's fee be, before Phoebe be Phoebe Beebee." - And this silly poem: - Moses supposes his toeses are roses, but Moses supposes erroneously. For nobody's toeses are posies of roses, as Moses supposes his toeses to be.
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I don't see a picture. However, check the soil and watering and the soaker hoses. They can get clogged, and not emitting as much water as you think. Also, Knock Outs rarely need treatment with a fungicide, and in many cases, they don't react well (especially if they aren't getting enough water).
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WendyB 5A/MA
17 years ago
Sue, Thank you. I've been meaning to add captions to them. I will do that. Right now picasa server is down and I can't get in. grrrrr :-(

I have had occasional deer browsing, but not a serious problem, thank goodness. Since my first encounters though, I try to do some preventative stuff. I hang Irish Spring soap quarters around and I use Deervik. (but I just saw that deervik.com is not operational now, it used to be, don't know whats going on there). I spray Liquid Fence on a few things too. I've read that a multiple weapon approach is the best.

-Wendy
hostasz6a
17 years ago
I have one red Knockout and one double red Knockout. They are so carefree and once they start blooming, they don't stop until frost. It said not to dead head, but I do, to make it look neater. I haven't had them but two years, so they aren't very large...about the same size as WendyB's rose. I would definitely get some. I plan to try the "blushing pink".
claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
17 years ago
I have several Blushing Knockouts as well as the original Knockouts and a pink Knockout; but I've only had them a few years at the most.

The Blushing ones have been the most impressive - blooming happily with no problems (actually none of them have had disease problems). The color is a lovely soft pink.

I've been eying the Rainbow and will probably get one too.

The only downside to the Knockout series is a lack of fragrance (and a lack of snob appeal - they're too easy to grow).

The Blushing Knockout has its own website.

Claire

Here is a link that might be useful: Blushing Knockout Rose
WendyB 5A/MA
17 years ago
Now that you mention it, I think Blushing Pink did bloom better than regular Pink. And regular pink leans kinda to the soft cherry red tone.
casey1gw
17 years ago
I only planted blushing pink knockout last fall but I've had the original knockout for several years. I love, love, love it because it's always blooming. I have a terrrible deer problem and they don't touch the knockout although they have nibbled the other roses.

Hedy
jenpaynter
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I have several Knockout rose plants and trees. (I'm new to Knockout roses... and LOVE them.) We live in MA on the top of a windy hill. Should we cover them in the winter? If so, what do you use and have had success with? Thanks!!!!

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