Knockout RosesKnockout Roses or Knock Out Roses; I have never quite figured out the correct spelling! The Knockout rose, "Radrazz" was the 2000 All American Rose Selection winner, and had been developed by a Wisconsin Rosarian, William Radler, and was the fastest selling, new rose, of all time! He was the director of the Minneapolis Botanical Gardens as well as a consultant for the Chicago Botanical gardens. Mr. Radler has also grown roses for many, many years! He has been breeding new roses for over twenty years, focusing on those with repeat blooming, disease free bushes that were hardy. In 1988 he crossed a "Carefree Beauty" and "Razzle Dazzle" which eventually became "Radrazz" after much testing by "Star Roses", who introduced it to the market in 2000, the same year it won at the A.R.S. Selling over 250 000 plants the first year, it became the fastest selling, new rose, in history. The reasons for it's success are simple: great marketing of a great rose. The original 'Knockout' rose is a small shrub rose growing to about 36 inches in height. It has light red to deep pink flowers in small clusters. The shrub is blessed with dark green foliage that is vertually disease resistant (especially Black Spot!)and a long, continuous blooming season. This hardiness and long repeat blooming makes it an ideal candidate for landscaping or border planting, especially as it is so low, both in maintenance and size. Knockout roses have been called the "...closest you can get to plant and forget roses." Varieties do well with less than six hours of sunlight, they are very resistant to blackspot, and although they are shrub roses so they do look a bit scruffy in wintertime, they're carefree, old rose scented, ever-blooming, and have very nice fall hips for the birds: perfect for the part time gardener. Fertile well drained soil and regular watering is all you need! Anything in zones 4 thru. 10. Knockout roses are available nowadays in red, pink, red-pink blend and a double red. There is also a new variety called "Home Run" which is a golden eyed, flame red. These roses of Mr. Radlers have taken the fast track to fame because of their ease of cultivation and hardy nature. All this with a bloom that lasts all season. Red Knock Out Rose The "grow in anything, anywhere" original. Non-stop heavy bloomer, needs no extra pruning (only early spring) or deadheading. A fast growing, disease resistant, five foot high shrub rose, with 3 1/2 inch fire engine red blooms. Orange-Red hips follow in the late fall.2004 ARS members choice! Pink Knock Out Rose Sister to the Red one, this new pink version has the same characteristics: hardy, disease resistant, great blooms that keep on coming and easy care. Grows to 3 1/2 feet so it is great for borders or landscaping. Double Knock Out Rose A three foot high, double bloom with all the pluses of the original shrubs. Disease resistant, easy care etc. etc. A little denser and more compact than the single varieties. Home Run Shrub Rose The newest relative of the family with the strongest disease resistance. Good for warmer, humid growing conditions. Three inch single bloom with a golden center and flame red petals.This rounded, small shrub rose was first available in 2006. To quote a friend, "Knockout roses are a great new reason for non-gardeners to love roses". Few roses have less maintenance, are easier to cultivate and yet produce such a long, repeat blooming period as these: and all without too much concern for blackspot! Whatever the correct spelling may be, they certainly live up to their name. [checking the various sellers of these roses, and the A.R.S. listing (8.6 out of 10, by the way.) it looks like "Knock Out" is the spelling Bee winner!]  help yourself to a load of extras! Tips, Advice, Articles and updates each month, PLUS Free access to 36 more 'Secret' Rose Growing Articles, PLUS THREE FREE GARDENING BOOKS to download: "Wild Birds in Your Garden and Gardening Secrets"   ...and new for 2010 “Container Gardening”. DO IT NOW.... Your Roses Deserve It! Return to Home Page from Knockout Roses
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