Mike's Backyard Nursery

The Most Fun You Can Have With Your Bibs On!

  • Home
  • Recommended Tools
  • Products
  • Categories
    • Complete Guides
    • Gardening
    • Growing
    • Landscape Design
    • Plant Care
    • Propagation
  • Contact
  • About Mike
Home » Complete Guides » Planting Knockout Rose Bushes

Planting Knockout Rose Bushes

Updated : May 20, 2015

8 Comments

korMany gardeners are interested in Knockout® Rose bushes because of their hardiness and almost effortless maintenance.

 

1 Simple Trick Produces Massive Roots

At first, the patented Knockout® Rose (introduced in 2000) was touted as being almost indestructible and disease resistant.

However, these claims have been challenged within the past few years with the discovery of Rose rosette disease running rampant on this once invincible plant.

Rose rosette is caused by a virus first discovered in the western U.S. around 1940

The virus is principally spread by tiny eriophyid mites-so tiny in fact, they literally blow into gardens on the wind.  When they feed on a rose, they transmit the virus.

Exclusive: Free Plans to Build Your Own Simple Homemade Plant Propagation System

The plant patent law prohibits non-licensed growers, including  homeowners, from propagating plants by any type of asexual method.

You can’t grow or divide the plants, nor can you layer stems or graft cuttings onto other bushes.  You also cannot use root cuttings, tissue cultures or runners to make new plants.

In the photos you will notice the yellow plastic pot that the Knockout rose bush came in.  This pot is the only acceptable container in which to sell a Knockout rose in accordance with their patent.

The Knockout rose is known for being an abundant bloomer. It flowers from late spring to first frost with fresh blooms every 6-7 weeks.

It needs a little pruning now and again and a well-balanced fertilizer monthly.

On my roses, I use Bayer All-in-One Advanced Rose and Flower Care. It contains an insecticide and disease control as well as fertilizer. The beauty of this product is that it is “systemic”, meaning it is absorbed through the roots and transported throughout the plant internally.bayer

New: Video Reveals a Simple Way to Root Plants from Cuttings (Watch Now!)

I had a plain, neglected area at the top of my driveway that has full sun and good drainage.  This would be the perfect spot to show off this beauty!

kor1

kor2

My equipment included a pick axe and a shovel. I also had some soil amendments to lighten up the soil.

Although Knockout roses have few demands from the soil they are planted in, I knew this soil was heavy and I wanted to “lighten” it up with some compost.

Let’s Plant a Knockout Rose Bush!!

1. Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot the rose was in and just as deep.

Related: This Secret Potting Soil Recipe Will Surprise the HECK Outta You

kor3I dug a little deeper and added the compost.

kor42. Place the rose in the hole to make sure the final depth is correct.kor53. Remove rose from it’s pot.kor64. Loosen up any compacted roots so they can spread out.kor7kor85. Once the Knockout rose bush is positioned, fill in the hole making sure to pack the soil down firmly so there are no air pockets around the roots.kor96. Water the rose in. Regular watering will be required while the plant settles in and then once a week or so during the summer.kor10

Here is the plant after two weeks. Look! I see new shoots appearing! Man this Knockout rose is a fast grower!

kor11

2 months later

2 months later

This plant is filling out nicely!  Look! I see a yellow flower bud!kor13

Related: This Secret Potting Soil Recipe Will Surprise the HECK Outta You

3 months after planting

3 months after planting

Knockout Rose bush 3 months after planting

Knockout Rose bush 3 months after planting

 

This pretty Knockout rose bush has really perked up that bare spot at the end of my driveway!

Take a gander at these posts...

  • Do You Have Shotgun Fungus?
  • Tree Stump Removal Instructions
  • Check Out My Billy Goat Outback Brush Cutter!
  • 37 Ways to Know You’re Addicted to Gardening
  • Hydrangeas: When do I prune them? Why didn’t they flower?

Comments

  1. pam schill says

    April 2, 2018 at 7:29 pm

    How long can I keep roeses I side before planting. The stores are doing them now but it is suppose to be colder then usual for three more weeks. I am afraid the will sell out.

    Reply
    • Mike says

      April 3, 2018 at 8:55 am

      Pam,

      If they are completely dormant they should be fine outside and planted. If leafed out you can keep them inside but they’ll need some light or they’ll get weak and spindly.

      Reply
  2. Rosemary says

    December 22, 2016 at 10:59 pm

    Tons of great information!

    Reply
  3. Cookie Wiese says

    April 5, 2016 at 6:38 pm

    We have knockout roses in our garden. Do you prune the red stems coming off the growth stems? They are red in color and are very weak at first.

    Reply
    • Mike says

      April 6, 2016 at 6:58 am

      Cookie,

      No, those stems are new growth and should not be pruned until the flowers are spent. Then selective pruning throughout the summer will keep them blooming nicely.

      Reply
  4. Gloria says

    June 19, 2015 at 9:15 pm

    I posted a question today about burning bushes, but I cannot find it. or if it has been answered. Can you help, please?

    Reply
    • Mike says

      June 20, 2015 at 7:40 am

      Gloria,

      Sounds like aphids. Aphids like soft new growth. As soon as that growth hardens off the aphids will flee the scene. Normally I don’t do a thing for them but you can spray with insecticidal soap or something simple like that.

      Reply
  5. Merci says

    May 28, 2015 at 7:40 am

    I’ve heard a lot about these roses wonder how I missed them till now.
    They come in a plastic container? OK but I am planting them on the ground I would remove them and directly put in the ground. Would let you know How like I got
    any comment I want to hear it
    Thank you

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Busting Gardening Myths!

Posted On May 1, 2022 By Mike

How to Move Heavy things the Easy Way.

Posted On April 13, 2022 By Mike

21 Plants that are Easy to Grow and Sell Like Crazy!

Posted On March 25, 2022 By Mike

Hardwood cuttings of Dappled Willow.

Rooting Dappled Willow from Hardwood Cuttings and Starting a Fun Little Business with Nothing but a Handful of Sticks.

Posted On March 21, 2022 By Mike

Tips and Tricks for Growing Plants from Seed.

Posted On February 2, 2022 By Mike

What is a Plant Patent and How Do they Work?

Posted On November 12, 2021 By Mike

Dianthus, Appleblossom Burst

Fall Plant Sale at Mike’s Plant Farm!

Posted On August 8, 2021 By Mike

Mike McGroarty sucks at landscape design.

My Landscape Design Skills Suck!

Posted On May 8, 2021 By Mike

Japanese maples balled in burlap.

How to put a ball and burlap on a bare root tree that has been previously dug.

Posted On April 15, 2021 By Mike

Mike McGroarty interviews a successful backyard grower from Tennessee.

Mike Interviews a Very Successful Backyard Grower from Tennessee.

Posted On February 23, 2021 By Mike

Complete Guides

Growing, Rooting and Propagating Dappled Willow in Tree Form from Cuttings.

Growing Seeds, Winter Sowing, in Milk Jugs and Kitty Litter Jugs.

The Correct Way to Pot Rooted Cuttings, Nursery Stock Liners and other Plants.

Training Arborvitae and other Conical Evergreens to Grow with a Single Leader.

How to Propagate, Root Cuttings, of Dwarf Alberta Spruce.

Recent Posts

Mike McGroarty sucks at landscape design.

My Landscape Design Skills Suck!

That's what he told me. He said my landscape design skills totally suck. Or something to that effect. Last summer when I did a post about landscape lighting some helpful visitor to my website suggested that I stick to growing plants because I was a … Read Full Article

Japanese maples balled in burlap.

How to put a ball and burlap on a bare root tree that has been previously dug.

One of the most important things you need to learn as a gardener is that there is a digging or transplanting season that has a beginning and an end. Digging season starts in the fall, usually around Thanksgiving, after deciduous plants have lost their leaves. … Read Full Article

Mike McGroarty interviews a successful backyard grower from Tennessee.

Mike Interviews a Very Successful Backyard Grower from Tennessee.

See more photos and learn more about Nathan and his nursery here. Questions, comments, mean things to say? Post them below and I will respond. Until then, by any and all means stay inspired! I often share this quote with Our Members . . . “Until one … Read Full Article

Red Prince Weigela

Red Prince Weigela

Red Prince Weigela is one of the best selling plants that I grow. I guess it's the striking red flowers that attract attention that make it such a great seller. Red Prince grows well in zones 4 through 8. Red Prince loves full sun but it will also … Read Full Article

Bare Root Japanese Maple Trees about to be Heeled in.

Digging and storing bare root trees for later potting.

These are rules for digging trees and other plants. Only dig trees or plants when they are dormant. Here in Ohio dormancy occurs usually right before Thanksgiving, after we've had at least on night with temps down around 28 degrees F. or lower.That's when … Read Full Article

Copyright © 1999-2022 · McGroarty Enterprises Inc. · Privacy Policy · Earnings Disclaimer · Terms of Service