Care for Knock Out Rose Bushes
- 1). Plant Knock Out roses in a location that receives at least six hours of full sun each day. Knock Out roses can tolerate some shade, but bloom production will be adversely affected. A mixture that is half compost and half soil is ideal for the Knock Out rose. Dig a hole twice as large as the root system, and the same depth the rose is planted in its container. Add the soil and compost mixture into the hole around the root system. Pour water into the hole while adding soil, so no air pockets form around the roots.
- 2). Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch around the base of the rose, and outward to 36 inches. Leave a 2-inch gap between the mulch and the rose bush to prevent mildew or fungus from spreading from the mulch to the plant.
- 3). Fertilize with a rose bush fertilizer at the rate recommended on the label. Do not overfertilize a Knock Out rose bush. Overfertilization causes the plant to produce more green growth at the expense of blooms.
- 4). Prune once a year in early spring to a height of 18 inches to form a dense shrub and maximize bloom production. A Knock Out rose bush also can be left to grow naturally to form an attractive shrub around 4 feet high and 4 feet wide. Deadheading, or removing spent blooms, is not necessary.
- 5). Water the Knock Out rose bush during the summer and in dry periods by deeply soaking the roots every 10 days to two weeks. Although the Knock Out rose is tolerant of heat and dry conditions, keeping the soil slightly moist during the growing season encourages dark green leaves and maximum growth. The Knock Out rose is disease resistant, but avoid spraying or splashing water on the leaves and flowers to prevent fungal and mildew problems.
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