It’s been 20 years since the original Knockout Rose was first introduced, and it’s more popular than ever. With colors ranging from red and pink to even yellow, these roses are sure to sweep you off your feet.
The pink Knockout rose, in particular, is an absolute stunner. It’s a descendant of the genus Rosa and the family Rosaceae. Its scientific name is Rosa Radcon, while its common name is pink Knockout rose, or shrub rose.
I know you’re excited to learn more about this perennial plant, so allow me to walk you through the growing and care of the pink Knockout rose.
NOTE: Today, there are 11 Knockout Rose Varieties to grow in your garden.
Pink Knockout Rose Care
Whether you’re new to the game or “gardener” is your middle name, planting Knockout roses is right up your alley. They’re reputed for being self-reliant, needing only minimal care.
Just get acquainted with the following aspects, and you’ll be good to go.
Size and Growth
Shrub roses, in general, are large-growing, with their height usually anywhere between 4′ to 10′ feet tall. It’s no wonder, then, that the pink Knockout rose is similarly large, 4′ feet in height, to be exact. Its width is also the same as its height.
Although the pink Knockout rose doesn’t generally need pruning, you may need to do so to control its size. More on pruning Knockout Roses.
Flowering and Fragrance
Pink Knockout roses can flower with as little as 3 hours of sunlight (direct sun) per day. They show off their pink blooms several times a year, with their blooming season being from May to frost.
Their clusters of pink flowers reach a diameter of 3″ inches. Pink Knockout roses are also mildly fragrant, which may be their only drawback.
Light and Temperature
Like many other roses, Knockout roses need from 6 to 8 hours of sun per day. While pink Knockout roses, in particular, can do well with less light, it’s better to increase their sun exposure. Do this especially if you’re planting a rose hedge or a rose bed.
Pink Knockout roses are best in USDA zones from 5 to 9. They’re winter-hardy, yet they’re heat- and humidity-tolerant as well.
Watering and Feeding
Once you finish planting the rose, you need to water it from top to bottom. Then, for the upcoming weeks, water regularly and deeply until well-established.
The best time for watering is in the morning. Also, make sure to avoid overhead watering.
NOTE: A good layer of mulch helps the low maintenance, self cleaning pink knockout rose to become more drought tolerant.
Well-Drained Soil and Transplanting
The soil for Knockouts needs to be well-drained, with its pH level falling between 6 and 6.5.
Dig a hole for the plant slightly wider and deeper than the container. After digging a suitable hole, work in some organic matter before placing your plant in it. Make its base even with the surface of the soil.
Don’t forget to add mulch all around the plant base to help it keep moisture and curb weeds.
If you’re amending a pre-existing soil, use a high-quality compost, like the one from Holy Cow. Their worm castings will make your plant more immune against pests, along with stimulating root growth.
Grooming and Maintenance
If re-blooming is the reason behind grooming, then it won’t be necessary. The pink Knockout rose is self-cleaning. Meaning, they clean up old blooms so they can make new ones, with no need to deadhead or prune them.
When to groom? When you’re in it for keeping the plant looking tidy year-round. You can do that using a hand pruner if it’s just a couple of roses. For rose hedges, or mass plantings use hedge shears and make a clean cut across the row.
Don’t forget to check out the Pink Double Knockout Rose – Rosa Radtko
How to Propagate Pink Knockout Roses?
Take the cuttings from the rose where the hip is beginning to form. At a 45-degree angle, cut off a stem that’s 6″ to 8″ inches long. Hurry and root the cuttings before they dry out.
Where to root? An ideal place would be an area with indirect sunlight, such as the east side of the house. The soil needs to be well-drained but a little moist, nonetheless.
Space the cuttings 8″ inches apart. After putting them in the soil, push the surface to increase soil contact.
Your young roses should get 6 hours of sun per day. Fertilize them once a month.
Pink Knockout Roses Pests
Generally, pink Knock Out roses are disease-resistant. Diseases they are resistant to include:
- Black spot
- Powdery Mildew
- Rust
Details on Knockout Roses Diseases | Knock Out Rose Rosette Disease
Pests that can harm these roses are sap-sucking ones. These include thrips, scale, aphids, and mites. To shield your plant against these pests, the first step is providing the plant with the perfect environmental conditions.
A vigorous plant has more chances of surviving pest attacks than a stressed one.
Regularly and thoroughly inspecting the plant will also help a lot. Finally, make sure to apply insecticidal soap.
Final Words
Green thumb or not, planting roses is a rewarding experience. That’s especially the case when these roses are the pink Knock Outs. They’re easy to grow, highly resistant to disease, and low-maintenance.
You need to keep in mind the tips and growing conditions we mentioned, and your pink Knock Out rose will be blooming in no time!