The Double Knock Out® Rose is the newest addition to the family of Knock Out® Roses. This shrub rose has twice the number of petals, presenting a fuller, richer inflorescence (a group or cluster of flowers) that is simply out of this world. The full double flowers look just like a classic rose and the blooms maintain a continuous show of color from early June to hard frost, with beautiful foliage almost year round. These roses are self-cleaning and do not need to be deadheaded (the removal of dead flowers from a plant in order to encourage the growth of new ones, and to prevent the production of seeds) to continue blooming throughout the growing season.
Double Knock Out® Roses are an extremely hardy hybrid shrub rose that grows 3-4 feet tall and equally wide. They like moist, well-drained soil that consists of high organic matter and grows well in most landscapes conditions. This shrub rose has been described as the workhorse of the flower bed and can take a wide range of temperatures and has been bred to be low maintenance, drought tolerant, disease and pest resistant.
Double Knock Out® Roses grow in a compact upright fashion and can be planted individually or among shrubs, annuals and perennials in mixed beds. They can also be planted in large groups to create a colorful hedge or along a foundation to provide a bright border. This shrub rose requires at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight and thrives in very humid climates where most other roses need spray maintenance.
How to Plant Double Knock Out® Roses: Dig a hole, slightly larger than the pot size or root system of your rose bush, and loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole with your shovel. Remove the shrub rose from the pot and carefully place it in the hole spreading the roots slightly. Plant the rose with the crown slightly deeper than the original soil.
The crown or bud union should be about 1-2 inches under the soil. Refill the hole and make sure the soil settles around the roots of your plant. Just before putting the final couple inches of soil over the roots, water your new plant and let it drain before the final topping of soil.
Gently firm the soil around the base of the shrub rose and finish by applying a 2-4 inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and adequate soil temperatures. Keep good air circulation by planting roses a minimum of three feet apart.
