Rose Pink Knock Out(R)
One of the Double Pink Knock Out roses in George’s front yard.
* Common name: Shrub rose Pink Knock Out(R)
* Botanical name: Rosa ‘Radcon’
* What it is: A no-spray, bullet-proof, blooming-machine of a rose that produces medium-pink flowers from early June to beyond frost. Developed as a low-maintenance, colorful landscape plant, not as a finicky show rose. If you like an even fuller look to the blooms, get the double-petaled Double Pink KNOCK OUT.
* Size: 4 feet tall and wide
* Where to use: Anywhere in a sunny to part-sun spot: foundations, massed on a bank, clustered in island beds, used as a colorful border hedge, even in pots… you name it.
* Care: Just whack back somewhere between ankle and knee high each April and stand back. No spraying. Extremely drought tolerant and even amenable to fairly poor soil. Can be lightly trimmed or deadheaded anytime during growing season if you’re really neat. Otherwise, relax and enjoy the show. Only downside is that the stems have thorns.
* Great partner: Blue-blooming catmint ‘Walker’s Low’ or ‘Kit Kat’ is a good perennial partner. So is purple-blooming hardy geranium ‘Rozanne’ or ‘Jolly Bee.’ Angelonia ‘Serena White’ and/or purple petunia ‘Blue Wave’ are good annual partners.