Knockout roses have been the rage in recent years. Introduced in 1999 by Star Roses, and an AARS winner, Knockout roses have been the subject of some controversy (the ‘why’ in a bit) within the rose community. Truthfully, I had to conduct some soul-searching of my own about this rose. Even my mother started a crusade to get some type of answer out of me with regards to the Knockout rose. After much consideration, I have to (surprisingly to those who know me and even to myself) give the Knockout rose an enthusiastic thumbs up. A little late perhaps, as it seems the market has already spoken. So what exactly is the deal with Knockout roses?
Knockout roses are your loud obnoxious cousin shouting look at me, look at me! I’m the life of the party! I have no doubt that if they could walk and talk, Knockout roses would be a blast out on the town and a good bud to hang out with, but…a little like spending time in New Orleans or Amsterdam…for a few days it’s all fun and debauchery and then it becomes too much.
They are incredibly healthy, robust, beautiful growers. After all the whining and carrying on about how weak and disease-prone roses are (including a lot of that whining coming from this very website), Knockout roses provide an answer. Indeed, the AARS is to be commended (as I’m often critical of their choices of honorees) for having the stones to honor Knockout roses.
In 2007, the All-America Rose Selections committee honored Rainbow Knockout, which if it is as disease-resistant as its famous parent will provide us with a beautiful and incredibly useful rose for the landscape. (Author note: this is the first post I’ve written that does not villify All-America Rose Selections, so I reckon it is only fair to give credit where it is so definitely due).
Cincinnati Cape Cod - Gorgeous photographs and garden.
Michelle Willingham - Scroll, quickly or slowly, your choice, past the guy with his shirt off.
The World According to Wayne - Word, Wayne.
Knockout Roses vs. Carefree Roses - Carroll Gardens - I’m no fan of Carefree Roses - ed.
The Garden Lady on Knockout Roses - Lovely site and sage advice about watering roses.
These Crazy Times - Indeed.
Knockout Roses in the Garden
Pink Knockout Roses
Rose Home Run - Son of Knockout Roses
I am…a daisy?
The Latest Winner of the Snidely Whiplash Award is…me (or how I wronged the AARS).
Hardiness Zone: 4
I’m glad to see you back on the blogosphere! I have actually wondered what you thought about the knockout roses, so thank you for this post!
Hardiness Zone:
Oh Lisa…I come and I go, depending on my level of inspiration. I hope you’re well up there, what with all the drama over B. Favre. And yes, knockout roses are alright by me, most definitely.
Barrie
Hardiness Zone:
[…] Pink Knockout Roses By barrie Recently, I wrote a briefish introduction to Knockout roses, and with the introduction of Pink Knockout roses and 2007’s Rainbow Knockout roses, there is ample evidence of hybridizing efforts aimed at toning down the brash color of the original Knockout rose while maintaining the vigor and good health charactistics of this line of shrub roses. Excellent roses for beginners, although I heard an interesting point of view from Jane, a nursery woman I greatly respect, that suggests Knockout roses may end up being a victim of their own success. […]
Hardiness Zone:
[…] Floribunda Rose Betty Prior By barrie Floribunda rose Betty Prior was introduced in 1935 and is still one of the best after more than seventy years. Reputed to be Queen Elizabeth’s favorite, Betty Prior grows quite tall for a Floribunda, to four or five feet. Combine this height with continuous bloom and you have a rose ideally suited for the back of the perennial or mixed border. Medium pink with five petals, the flowers are reminiscent of dogwood blooms (although dogwood flowers have four bracts instead of five petals). Betty Prior is an excellent rose for beginners, and I can also recommend Knockout roses and Pink Knockout roses. […]
Hardiness Zone:
Knockout roses are the same intense pink as the wild roses that grow in Western Montana.
They give the rest of you a chance to grow something as gaudy as Bougainvillea.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bougainvillea
Hardiness Zone:
Your allusion to Bougainvillea is perfect, and I reckon your reference of Knockout roses as gaudy is fair.