skip to main content

Brown thumb...Did I knock out my knock out rose?

7 years ago

I recently transplanted my knockout rose, and now it is turning yellow and the leaves are falling off. I am a self-proclaimed Brown thumb, but I am very sad because the rosebush was doing very well, had grown a lot, and had many beautiful blooms in this first season since it was planted in the spring. Any suggestions for what I can do for it? I wanted to move it to the center of of the garden bed so it would have more room to grow....but i wish I had just left it alone. No insults please... I'm young and inexperienced at gardening

Thanks for your help!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
7 years ago
Been there done that...lol...(please do not fertilize...) Just keep it watered but not overwatered and hopefully it recovers in about 4 weeks or so. If its really hot provide some shade of some sorts like a chair over it during the hottest parts of the day... Where is your general location please?
chrislancaste thanked jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
Patty W. zone 5a Illinois
7 years ago
Try not to feel too bad. Knockouts and Homerun roses are among the hardest to transplant. They suffer horrible transplant shock. I'm used to it now and already have the shade ready before bringing the rose over to the new hole. If the move must be made I much prefer spring while they are still sleeping. It does take them a while to recover and shade well help them keep the remaining leaves.
chrislancaste thanked Patty W. zone 5a Illinois
Related Discussions
Miniature white lights on my Knock-Out Rose bushes ?
Q
Comments (5)
I agree, but wonder if the potentially difficult pruning resulting from the wires being concealed by the plant growth would be worth the hassle? I deal with a weeping cherry that has such lights wrapped through it. The effect is quite pretty when lit and it hasn't hurt the tree at all, but maintenance is a real pig, trying not to cut through all those wires when I have to remove errant growth. Kim
...See More
Can I prune my double knock out roses now?
Q
Comments (16)
I haven't had roses long either, but I think it is fairly easy to see where to prune in the spring. Wait to do it after your last frost which should be around March or April. It is a signal for your rose to start growing again so wait until you are sure it is safe. Now, when you look at your rose this spring you will see brown ends on the canes. That is dead wood, and you will cut all of that out. Make your first cut just below the brown wood into the green part of the cane. If you don't see any green cane then prune down to the soil. If the green cane is all white inside like an apple, it is good wood. If the inside is brown then you need to prune further down. Watch for dark areas on the green canes. That is canker and you need to prune below any canker you see. Once you have finished pruning seal all the cuts with something. I use regular white glue, but you can use carpenter's glue or nail polish. That will keep out borers which would otherwise lay their eggs inside the cut end of the cane. Feel free to stop by the rose forum for more advice. I post there quite often and everyone is very helpful.
...See More
Problems with my Knock Out Roses
Q
Comments (10)
I have two double red knockouts and one pink. I cut the flowers off when they start looking bad. It makes the plant look better and I get a lot of new growth. Although they are self cleaning, the star things look horrible if left on the plant. When the last flower has bloomed in a cluster, I cut down to a leaflet of at least four leaves. My plants were planted this spring, so I don't have a huge bush to deadhead which would make deadheading alot more time consuming. Ann
...See More
Burned Knock-outs w/ rose rosette; when can I buy more roses?
Q
Comments (10)
Jessica you will probably get a variety of answers so I suggest reading some to find what you think is the best answer for you. Locally Extensions services based on info from Texas A&M agricultural research says you can replant in 10-14 days. RRD is carried by a mite that will vacate a rose once it starts to die. If you have gotten all the roots out then you can replant. Since the mites blow in the wind and can be carried a long way you may or may not have damage to other roses in your yard. If you had any diseased KO that had canes touching other roses and you didn't take them out you should watch the other roses for disease very carefully. In addition to the mites blowing in the wind they walk from cane to cane.
...See More
chrislancaste
Original Author
7 years ago
Southwest Missouri. Still in the 80s here. And of course when it first showed signs of struggle, I thought I should give it some plant food to help it out!! Argh! Thanks for the help so far!
mustbnuts zone 9 sunset 9
7 years ago
Chris, follow the great advice on here. I too transplanted a knockout a couple of years ago and it has never really recovered to what it was before. I think it preferred the sunnier spot where I had it before it was moved. Even then, it would pretty much lose all of its leaves in the summer when it just was too hot outside.

I think you will be able to save it. Just shade it a bit and give it some water. It should recover.
chrislancaste thanked mustbnuts zone 9 sunset 9

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Knock Out Roses

By J. Peterson Garden Design

As glorious as their high-maintenance kin for a fraction of the work, Knock Out roses make even beginners look like garden stars

BEDROOMS TVs in the Bedroom: Thumbs up or Thumbs down?

By Janell Beals - House of Fifty

VALENTINE’S DAY Tell Us: Why Did You Fall in Love With Your House?

By Vanessa Brunner

What was it about your house that made your heart flutter? Share your photo, and it could make the Houzz homepage

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Bring Out Your Home’s Character With Trim

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

New project for a new year: Add moldings and baseboards to enhance architectural style and create visual interest

ARCHITECTURE Roots of Style: Where Did Your House Get Its Look?

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Explore the role of architectural fashions in current designs through 5 home styles that bridge past and present

FURNITURE Holding Out for Quality

By Michael Cannell

Cheap furniture has its place, but more shoppers are waiting to invest for the long haul

WINDOW TREATMENTS 6 Ways to Deal With a Bad View Out the Window

You can come out from behind the closed curtains now. These strategies let in the light while blocking the ugly

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Roll Out the Welcome Mat

By Laurel MacDougall

Classic to cheeky, these doormats will get your entryway’s style off on the right foot

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Budget Decorator: 10 Ways to Deck Out Your Patio

By Laura Gaskill

Hang a vintage sign here and some inexpensive curtains there, for a patio or deck that looks polished and pulled together

FUN HOUZZ 14 Gardens Straight Out of Fairy Tales

By Luisa Rollenhagen

Escape into landscapes that conjure the magical worlds of folklore and literature

Sponsored

More Discussions

Leap into Spring with Us - Seasonal Thread

534

Received beautiful order from Chamblees / one love roses

22

Where in California or in the US do think has the best rose climate?

25

ROSES.. UK/Europe - Part 2..

8

Kate roses? Japanese roses in SoCal

1