The landmark landscape shrub rose that revolutionised low-care roses, with cherry-red single blooms produced continuously. Outstanding disease resistance and self-cleaning, needing almost no spraying or deadheading.
At a glance
- Plant type: Shrub
- Mature size: 1.2 m H × 1.2 m W
- Aspect: full sun and part shade or morning sun
- Water: happy on low water
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Exotic
About Knock Out Rose
Rosa 'Knock Out' is a fast-growing shrub in the Rosaceae family. It reaches around 1.2 m tall and 1.2 m wide at maturity, with deciduous foliage. Red flowers appear for much of the year.
Where to grow Knock Out Rose
Knock Out Rose suits warm-temperate, cool-temperate, Mediterranean and subtropical climates and grows best in full sun and part shade or morning sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also is an award-winning selection.
Soil & planting
Knock Out Rose does best in free-draining, loamy and clay soil. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool. For a screen, space plants about 72 cm apart.
Watering & feeding
Knock Out Rose is happy on low water, so once its roots are down it needs little supplementary water. A feed in spring with a balanced fertiliser keeps growth strong. In its first year, water deeply once or twice a week to settle the roots in, then taper off as it establishes.
Pruning & care
Prune Knock Out Rose after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. It clips well, so trim two or three times a year for a formal finish. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Knock Out Rose in the garden
Knock Out Rose earns its place for a feature or specimen planting, a fast screen or informal hedge, feeding bees and pollinators and pots and courtyard containers. It is equally at home in the ground or a large pot on a balcony or courtyard.
Companion planting & design
For a cohesive, low-care bed, pair Knock Out Rose with other plants that enjoy the same happy on low water and warm-temperate climate. Group three or five together for impact rather than dotting single plants through the garden.
Good to know
It is thorny — useful as a barrier, but wear gloves when pruning.
Buying Knock Out Rose
Plant Sale lists Knock Out Rose as potted plants and bare-root stock. Stock isn't live yet — register your interest using the panel above and we'll email you the moment it is available.