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 a nursery woman I greatly respect that suggests Knockout roses may end up being a victim of their own success.

What she was referring to was the way in which certain plants catch the public’s eye, succeed wildly in the commercial market, and then become so widespread as to be completely predictable and common. A number of years ago everybody started planting Leyland Cypress hedges, and they were everywhere (Jane’s example). We also saw this in the late 1990’s when Loropetalum started appearing in every suburban landscape.

Are we do to be overrun by landscapes of Knockout roses? If so, what does it say, what is the significance? Certainly there is confirmation that the public still has interest in roses as garden plants, even after years of being offered truly abhorrent garden roses. What breeders (finally) seem to understand is that roses in the landscape are more than just flowers. A more graceful form and ability to withstand various climates and pests and diseases are crucial.

Perhaps Knockout roses will run amock throughout the American landscape in years to come, but that’s okay, because they are evidence of so much positive in our view of our gardens, our land, and our environment. I think it is already time to acknowledge Knockout roses as one of the great breeding efforts, as the commitment to breed disease resistant roses was sublime.