Rainbow Knock Out rose

Sun

Full sun; aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Water

Water deeply during establishment and during prolonged dry weather. Established plants tolerate brief dry spells, but flower better with consistent moisture.

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil, preferably slightly acidic to neutral; tolerates clay if drainage is adequate.

Height

3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m)

Spread

3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m)

Flowers

Repeated flushes from late spring until autumn frosts; single coral-pink flowers with yellow centres, fading to softer pink.

Foliage

Small, glossy green leaflets; new growth often has a burgundy tint. Usually deciduous, but may retain leaves in mild winters.

Growth

Moderate to fast

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Heat tolerant
• Disease resistant
• Wildlife
• 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, soaking the root area rather than giving frequent light sprinkles.
• Apply rose fertiliser as spring growth begins, following the label; avoid late-season nitrogen feeding in cold climates.
• Mulch with 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of composted bark or similar material, keeping it away from the stems.
• Allow space around the shrub for air circulation and remove fallen diseased leaves.
• Deadhead for tidiness if desired; repeat flowering does not depend on removing spent blooms.

Pruning. In late winter or early spring, as buds begin to swell, remove dead, damaged and crossing stems, then shorten the remaining growth by about one-third to one-half if needed. Use clean, sharp tools and remove any winter-killed tips back to healthy wood.

Late winter

Check for winter damage and prune as buds begin to swell; delay in very cold areas until severe freezes have passed.

Early spring

Plant when the soil is workable, water thoroughly and apply mulch.

Spring

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

Summer

Water deeply during dry spells and lightly trim spent flower clusters if you want a tidier shrub.

Late summer

Stop nitrogen feeding in cold-winter areas so new growth can mature before frost.

Late autumn

Clear diseased leaves and refresh mulch; in exposed zone 5 gardens, protect the crown after the ground begins to freeze.

• Plant in groups along a sunny border for a broad band of pink flowers.
• Use as a low informal hedge beside a path, leaving room for thorny stems to stay clear of walkers.
• Combine with catmint, salvia and ornamental grasses to soften the shrub's outline.
• Grow in a large container with drainage holes on a sunny patio; container roots need extra winter protection in cold regions.

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

Plant it with: Catmint, Hardy geranium, Perennial salvia, Lavender, Allium and Feather reed grass.

Wildlife: The open flowers provide accessible pollen for bees and other flower-visiting insects. Dense, thorny stems can offer shelter for small birds; deer may browse buds and shoots.

• Black spot: resistance is good, not absolute. Remove infected fallen leaves, water at soil level and maintain airflow.
• Aphids: wash colonies off young shoots with water; allow ladybirds and other predators to help control them.
• Japanese beetles, where present in North America: hand-pick adults into soapy water; avoid placing beetle traps beside the rose.
• Rose rosette disease, especially in affected parts of North America: unusually red, distorted shoots with excessive thorns need prompt assessment. Remove and dispose of confirmed infected plants, including roots; there is no cure.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, horses or people. Thorns can puncture skin, mouths and eyes, and eating plant material may cause mild stomach upset.

• Knock Out rose (Rosa 'Radrazz')

  The original Knock Out has cherry-red to deep pink flowers rather than coral-pink petals with a conspicuous yellow centre.

• Blushing Knock Out rose (Rosa 'Radyod')

  Its flowers are pale blush pink and lack Rainbow Knock Out's strong coral-and-yellow contrast.

Rainbow refers to the changing coral, pink and yellow tones of the flowers, while Knock Out identifies the rose series.

Propagation. Root softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer, or hardwood cuttings during dormancy. Seedlings will not reliably retain the cultivar's characteristics; check local plant breeders' rights before propagating for sale.

Accepted botanical name

Rosa

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