Pink Knock Out rose

Sun

Full sun, ideally at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Light afternoon shade can help in very hot climates, but too much shade reduces flowering.

Water

Water deeply when the soil begins to dry below the surface. Established plants tolerate brief dry spells, but flower best with regular moisture; containers need more frequent watering.

Soil

Well-drained loam or improved clay, preferably slightly acidic to neutral. Avoid waterlogged ground.

Height

3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m), sometimes taller in warm climates

Spread

3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m)

Flowers

Single, clear pink flowers with yellow stamens, produced in repeated flushes from late spring into autumn, often until frost.

Foliage

Dark green, divided leaves with toothed leaflets; young growth may be reddish.

Growth

Moderate to fast

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Heat tolerant
• Disease resistant
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   2.1 ft (0.64 m)

3. After 2 years

   2.5 ft (0.78 m)

4. After 3 years

   3 ft (0.91 m)

5. After 5 years

   3 ft (1.1 m)

   full size

About 4 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Growth rate

Fast

• Water at soil level during dry weather, soaking the root zone rather than wetting the leaves.
• Apply a balanced rose fertilizer as spring growth begins, following the label; avoid late-season nitrogen feeding in cold climates.
• Spread 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch over the roots, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Leave room between shrubs for air circulation and remove fallen diseased leaves.
• In zone 5 and exposed cold sites, protect the crown with mulch after the ground cools in late autumn.

Pruning. In late winter or early spring, as buds begin to swell, remove dead, damaged and crossing stems, then shorten healthy growth by about one-third to one-half if needed. Deadheading is optional because the shrub repeat-flowers without it.

Late winter

In mild climates, prune before strong new growth starts; delay in colder areas until severe cold has passed.

Early spring

Plant container-grown shrubs when the soil is workable, water thoroughly and mulch the root zone.

Spring

Feed as new growth develops and check soft shoots for aphids.

Summer

Water deeply during dry spells and check leaves and flowers for local rose pests.

Early autumn

Stop nitrogen feeding in cold climates and remove diseased fallen leaves.

Late autumn

In cold regions, protect the crown with mulch once the soil has cooled; avoid heavy pruning before winter.

• Plant in groups along a sunny boundary for a long-flowering, informal hedge.
• Use in mixed borders with catmint, salvia and ornamental grasses to soften its rounded outline.
• Repeat shrubs through foundation beds to provide consistent pink colour without formal clipping.
• Grow in a large, well-drained container beside a sunny patio, allowing space away from its prickly stems.

Garden styles it suits: Cottage garden, Traditional, English country, Romantic rose garden, Low-maintenance and Pollinator garden.

Plant it with: Catmint, Perennial salvia, Hardy geranium, Lavender, Lady's mantle and Feather reed grass.

Wildlife: The open, single flowers provide accessible pollen for bees and other insects. Dense stems can offer shelter, but this cultivated rose is not a substitute for locally native shrubs in wildlife planting.

• Black spot: resistance is good but infection can occur, especially in humid weather. Remove affected fallen leaves, water at ground level and improve airflow; use a locally approved rose fungicide only if needed.
• Aphids: colonies gather on tender shoots and buds. Wash them off with water and encourage ladybirds and other predators; use insecticidal soap for persistent infestations, following the label.
• Japanese beetles, where present in North America: adults chew flowers and skeletonize leaves. Hand-pick into soapy water; avoid placing beetle traps beside the roses.
• Rose rosette disease, especially in affected parts of the United States: excessive thorniness, distorted red growth and clustered shoots are warning signs. Have suspicious growth assessed, then remove the entire infected plant, including roots, because there is no cure.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, horses or people. Leaves, petals and hips are not considered poisonous, although eating plant material may cause mild stomach upset. Prickles can injure skin, eyes or mouths, and garden roses treated with pesticides should not be eaten.

• Pink Double Knock Out rose (Rosa 'Radtkopink')

  Its pink flowers have many more petals and a fuller outline; 'Radcon' has open, single flowers with clearly visible stamens.

• Blushing Knock Out rose (Rosa 'Radyod')

  Its single flowers are much paler blush pink, often fading toward nearly white; 'Radcon' is a stronger pink.

• Knock Out rose (Rosa 'Radrazz')

  The original Knock Out has cherry-red to deep reddish-pink flowers rather than the clearer pink flowers of 'Radcon'.

Pink Knock Out names the pink-flowered member of the Knock Out rose series, while 'Radcon' is its cultivar denomination.

Propagation. Propagate by softwood or semi-ripe cuttings to retain the cultivar's characteristics; seedlings will not reliably come true. Check local plant breeders' rights before propagating for distribution or sale.

Accepted botanical name

Rosa

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.