The Easy-Care Petite Knock-Out Rose Has Nonstop Red Blooms

2021-05-04
The Easy-Care Petite Knock-Out Rose Has Nonstop Red Blooms

Knock Out Roses have been a smash hit since they came onto the gardening scene 20 years ago, and for good reason. These beauties don't need dead-heading like other roses, and they're disease-resistant. Also, they're covered in hot pink blooms from spring to frost. However, these plants can take up a lot of space, reaching about 4 feet tall and wide.

Now, there's a more compact version: the Petite Knock Out Rose. It's one of the easiest roses you can grow and as gorgeous as its larger kin, but you can fit this miniature rose almost anywhere to enjoy its vibrant red blooms. It's the perfect size for Mother's Day gifting, a token of teacher appreciation, or just treating yourself.

Buy It: Petite Knock Out Rose

"Game-changing" is how Star Roses and Plants rose program manager, Layci Gragnani, describes Petite Knock Out. Compared to other roses, "two things that make this variety very unique are the versatility and the size," she says. It only gets 18 inches high and wide, so it's an excellent choice for small yards or balcony gardens, and Gragnani says you can use it in many ways. "It could be in the landscape, it could be in containers, or we also have a tree form." The formal-looking tree form (known as a standard) makes an especially striking focal point.

Wherever you choose to grow Petite Knock Out, "this variety continuously blooms from spring until frost and gives you bold flower color on top of dark glossy green foliage," Gragnani says. The blooms are a little smaller than the original Knock Out, but their bright red hue helps them stand out in garden beds and planters on the patio, especially when grouping several of these plants. This mini variety only comes in red, but more colors are in the works.

Grower trials across the country have shown that Petite Knock Out is hardy in Zones 5 through 10, withstanding any climate from the desert southwest to the Northeast. Gragnani says that you can keep the plant indoors for a couple of weeks if you want to enjoy it as a table decoration, but it will do best planted outside because it requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight to thrive.

Gragnani says ample watering is the best way to help acclimate your new rose once you've planted it. Once it's begun to produce new growth, water it once or twice a week moving forward. Knock Out roses usually don't need as much fertilizer as other roses, but you can add an all-purpose fertilizer or rose food after the first wave of flowering to give your plant a boost.

Petite Knock Out is "a really nice, 21st-century type of rose that is so versatile," says Gragnani. Look for it in garden centers in 2-quart or 6-quart bright green containers or in tree form to enjoy the beautiful blooms in your yard all summer.

Colorful, Pretty Companionship for Your Petite Knock-Out Roses

8 Colorful Flowering Shrubs to Grow for Cut Flowers

What Flowers Grow Well Together? Try These 28 Pretty Combinations

23 of the Most Fragrant Flowers That Add Sweet Scents to Any Garden

10 Red Flowers for Big, Bold Color in Your Garden

35 Best Types of Yellow Flowers to Brighten Up Your Garden

Article "tagged" as:

Related Article

How to Plant and Grow Rose of Jericho

How to Plant and Grow Rose of Jericho

Rose of Jericho is a unique houseplant that can survive with minimal water, making it a great option for travelers and forgetful gardeners.
21 Adorably Petite Plants for Fairy Gardens

21 Adorably Petite Plants for Fairy Gardens

Color is always nice, but scale is everything when choosing miniature garden plants. Peruse our favorite picks for fairy gardens and terrariums.
13 Colorful Nectar Plants for Pollinators

13 Colorful Nectar Plants for Pollinators

Create a gorgeous, pollinator-friendly garden by including these nectar-rich plants.
Is Coleus a Perennial or Annual? Here's How to Grow It Both Ways

Is Coleus a Perennial or Annual? Here's How to Grow It Both Ways

Is coleus a perennial that comes back every year? That depends on where you live and how you care for it. Use these tips to enjoy coleus as a colorful perennial or annual plant.
How to Plant and Grow Ranunculus

How to Plant and Grow Ranunculus

Ranunculus are favorite flowers for weddings, arrangements, and gardens. Here's how to plant and grow ranunculus.
How to Plant and Grow Glossy Abelia

How to Plant and Grow Glossy Abelia

This guide on how to grow glossy abelia includes essential planting and care tips such watering, fertilizing, and pruning needs. You'll also find popular types of abelia to grow and pretty companion plants for this flowering shrub.
Hydrangeas Not Blooming? 7 Reasons Why and How to Fix the Problem

Hydrangeas Not Blooming? 7 Reasons Why and How to Fix the Problem

Hydrangeas not blooming can be a frustrating problem for gardeners. These straightforward tips will promote tons of long-lasting flowers.
10 Best Sweet Potato Companion Plants for Larger Harvests

10 Best Sweet Potato Companion Plants for Larger Harvests

Mix and match these sweet potato companion plants in your vegetable beds for pest-free crops and easier gardening.
How to Harvest Mint, Dry Mint, and Store Mint

How to Harvest Mint, Dry Mint, and Store Mint

Learn how to harvest mint to keep plants more manageable and gather fresh mint leaves for cooking, drying, and storing!
How and When to Harvest Radishes at Their Peak

How and When to Harvest Radishes at Their Peak

These easy-to-follow tips will help you figure out how and when to harvest radishes for the best flavor and size. Plus, get troubleshooting advice if your radish roots aren't developing properly.
How and When to Start Tomato Seeds Indoors

How and When to Start Tomato Seeds Indoors

Find out exactly how and when to start tomato seeds indoors so they'll be ready to transplant into your garden in spring.
Tillers vs. Cultivators: How to Choose the Right One for Your Gardening Tasks

Tillers vs. Cultivators: How to Choose the Right One for Your Gardening Tasks

Learn the differences between tillers and cultivators and the tasks they're best suited for.
Here’s What Not to Put in Compost to Avoid a Contaminated Bin

Here’s What Not to Put in Compost to Avoid a Contaminated Bin

Composting is a simple way to turn your kitchen and yard waste into food for your garden. But some of these items should never be in compost.
Easy Lawn Repair for Patchy Grass Using Seed or Sod

Easy Lawn Repair for Patchy Grass Using Seed or Sod

With a bit of grass seed or sod, lawn repair is easy, and you’ll soon have a lush green carpet again.
What Are the Tiny White Bugs on Your Plants? 4 Common Pests They Could Be

What Are the Tiny White Bugs on Your Plants? 4 Common Pests They Could Be

Tiny white bugs on plants in your home or outdoors can be a big problem. Learn how to identify and get rid of them with this guide.
How to Spot 5 Common Plant Diseases and Keep Your Garden Healthy

How to Spot 5 Common Plant Diseases and Keep Your Garden Healthy

Protect your plants from the most common diseases. Learn to recognize the symptoms and how to prevent these diseases in the first place.
How to Landscape with Rocks and Stones in Your Yard

How to Landscape with Rocks and Stones in Your Yard

Decorative rocks and stones add another element of nature to your yard, whether you grow hydrangeas, tulips, or cacti.
Landscape Planning Tips From Start to Finish for a Perfect Yard

Landscape Planning Tips From Start to Finish for a Perfect Yard

Even if you're a beginner, these simple landscape planning tips will take the mystery out of designing your yard's ideal layout.
10 Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants Growing in Your Garden

10 Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants Growing in Your Garden

Use native plants in your garden instead of popular invasive landscape plants: See a list of common invasive plants, plus native alternatives to plant instead.
Your Seasonal Lawn-Care Schedule for the Midwest

Your Seasonal Lawn-Care Schedule for the Midwest

Use our lawn-care schedule to help you maintain a beautiful yard all year long. You'll learn exactly when to mow, aerate, fertilize, and overseed.