Pink Double Knock Out® Rose

The Pink Double Knock Out® Rose is hardy in zones 5 to 10 and performs best in full sun with at least six hours of direct light a day. It is not picky about soil but prefers a fertile, well-draining loam; good drainage and steady sun are the keys to maximum bloom.

Planting

1. Choose a site in full sun with good air circulation to help the foliage stay dry and healthy.
2. Loosen the soil and dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.
3. Set the plant so the crown sits level with the surrounding soil, then position it for even spacing if planting a hedge (about 3 feet apart).
4. Backfill with native soil, firm gently to remove air pockets, and water deeply to settle the roots.
5. Spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch over the root zone, keeping it pulled back a few inches from the base of the canes.

Care & maintenance

• Water. Keep the soil evenly moist during the first growing season while roots establish; once settled, water deeply during dry spells and aim for the base rather than the foliage.
• Feed. Apply a balanced rose or all-purpose fertilizer in early spring as growth begins, and feed lightly through the season to fuel repeat bloom; stop feeding 6 to 8 weeks before your first expected frost.
• Light. Full sun produces the heaviest flowering; too much shade thins out the blooms.
• Prune. This rose blooms on new wood, so prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Cut the plant back by about one-third to a half to encourage a full, vigorous flush, and remove any dead or crossing canes.
• Mulch & winter care. Maintain a mulch layer year-round to conserve moisture and protect roots; in colder zones a deeper winter mulch over the crown adds insurance.
• Pests & disease. Bred for strong resistance to blackspot and powdery mildew, but watch for aphids and Japanese beetles; a strong spray of water or insecticidal soap usually keeps aphids in check.
• Bloom tips. No deadheading is needed since the plant is self-cleaning, though a light midsummer trim can tidy the shape and prompt an extra burst of flowers.

When does it bloom and how long?

It flowers from spring all the way to fall, reblooming in waves roughly every five to six weeks. Because it is self-cleaning and blooms on new growth, you get continuous color through the whole season without deadheading.

Why isn't my Knock Out rose blooming well?

The most common cause is too little sun, since this rose needs at least six hours of direct light for heavy flowering. Other culprits are over-feeding with high-nitrogen fertilizer (which pushes leaves instead of flowers) or pruning at the wrong time. It blooms on new wood, so prune in late winter or early spring, not during the growing season.

When and how should I prune it?

Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Cut the entire plant back by about one-third to one-half and remove any dead, weak, or crossing canes. This encourages a dense, vigorous shrub and a strong first flush of blooms. A light trim midseason is optional and keeps it neat.

Does it need full sun or will it take some shade?

Full sun is best. It will tolerate a little light shade, but flowering drops off noticeably and the plant is more prone to disease in shadier, less airy spots. Give it the sunniest location you have.

Is it really as disease-resistant as people say?

Yes. The Knock Out® roses were specifically bred for strong resistance to blackspot and powdery mildew, which means no routine fungicide spraying for most gardeners. Good sun, air circulation, and watering at the base rather than overhead keep it looking its best.

Can I grow it as a hedge or in a container?

Both work well. Its compact 3 to 4 foot rounded habit makes it ideal for a low flowering hedge when spaced about 3 feet apart, and it also thrives in a large container with good drainage on a sunny patio. In pots, water more often and feed lightly through the season.