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When a person is labeled a knockout, it usually means they are beautiful in an extraordinary kind of way. These roses fit their name quite well in my opinion. I had been searching for the perfect addition to my front flower beds, to add some pops of color under my bay windows. My front door is red, so I thought red would be nice in the plantings flanking it on either side, for continuity. While walking in my neighborhood I kept coming across these lovely bushes simply bursting with cherry red blossoms, so I hunted them down and discovered they were double knockout roses. These grow well in zones 5-11, and are very common here in Tennessee (zone 7) where I live.
I put these in about 2 weeks ago, and they almost immediately began to bloom. They are already a lovely addition, even at this small size. Eventually they will grow to about 3 or 4 feet in height, although I plan to keep mine on the smaller side of that range. They can be planted alone or in groups, and come in a variety of colors and sizes to suit many tastes. Some roses can be rather finicky, but knockouts are known for being fairly easy maintenance, so they are an ideal choice for both experienced and beginner gardeners alike. Cut them back annually (deadheading is not required unless you just like a cleaner look better) and be sure they get plenty of full sun (at least 6 hours daily) and water. In return, they will bloom every 5 to 6 weeks for your enjoyment all season long.
It is recommended to hold off on fertilizing until the plant is well established. They should grow fine without fertilizing at all actually, but if you want to offer them that extra dose of love be sure the soil is moist, fertilize early in the season before they have started preparing for dormancy and choose products specifically designed for roses. I am planning to wait until next year to give mine this boost, since they are so new this year. Aren’t they gorgeous though? Knockouts are also an excellent choice for container gardens in small spaces, so I say it’s 1 - 2 -3 and Double Knockouts for the win!
If you’d like to give these a try in your yard too, they can be found at nearly any local or online nursery within their growing zones. They usually ship and transplant well, and will grace your garden with beauty for many years to come.
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