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 Propagate Orchids Successfully, Depending on Type

How to Propagate Orchids Successfully, Depending on Type

Learn the best techniques for propagating orchids that are monopodial or sympodial. Get essential tips and expert advice to propagate orchids by keiki or division.
How to Grow and Care for Nerve Plant

How to Grow and Care for Nerve Plant

Want to grow a nerve plant? Learn how to care for these tropical houseplants, where to grow them in your home, common pests, and different types to choose from.
How to Grow and Care for Living Stones

How to Grow and Care for Living Stones

Find out how to grow living stones, unique miniature succulents that look like pebbles. This guide covers how to care for living stone plants, including watering them just right to keep them thriving.
8 Begonia Houseplant Care Tips to Keep Your Plants Thriving

8 Begonia Houseplant Care Tips to Keep Your Plants Thriving

Find out how to care for begonia houseplants with these tips on the best types to grow, lighting, watering, fertilizer, and more.
11 Bathroom Plants That Thrive in Humidity

11 Bathroom Plants That Thrive in Humidity

Add some life to your home with these 11 high humidity bathroom plants. Dim lighting and a moist environment are exactly what they need to flourish.
How to Stop Woodpeckers from Pecking Your House

How to Stop Woodpeckers from Pecking Your House

Are woodpeckers pecking your siding? Learn why they’re making a racket and more importantly, how to get them to stop.
Discover Your Garden Personality to Create Your Perfect Outdoor Space

Discover Your Garden Personality to Create Your Perfect Outdoor Space

Garden designer Ryan McEnaney shares his insights and tips on finding your outside style based on your garden personality.
Grow Perfect Tomatoes with This PVC Trellis

Grow Perfect Tomatoes with This PVC Trellis

Protect your homegrown produce and learn how to make an arbor made with PVC pipes. This easy project is much less expensive than store-bought options!
13 Colorful Nectar Plants for Pollinators

13 Colorful Nectar Plants for Pollinators

Create a gorgeous, pollinator-friendly garden by including these nectar-rich plants.
How to Make a Tomato Cage Plant Stand

How to Make a Tomato Cage Plant Stand

Repurpose a tomato cage to create a tall plant stand perfect for a front stoop container garden. Add rustic flair with rope-wrapped rows.
How to Plant and Grow Skeleton Flower

How to Plant and Grow Skeleton Flower

Skeleton flower is a unique and rare plant with petals that look clear when wet. This guide explains how to grow these unique and rare flowers, which do best in dappled light and consistently moist soil.
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 Grow Roses from Cuttings of Your Favorite Varieties in 10 Simple Steps

How to Grow Roses from Cuttings of Your Favorite Varieties in 10 Simple Steps

In only a few simple steps, you can learn how to grow roses from cuttings to make your garden extra gorgeous.
How to Propagate Clematis from Cuttings and Layering

How to Propagate Clematis from Cuttings and Layering

Learn how to propagate clematis successfully with this step-by-step guide on two different techniques.
Dress Up Your Home with This Foolproof Foundation Garden Plan

Dress Up Your Home with This Foolproof Foundation Garden Plan

Create a welcoming look for your home with this easy-care combination of foundation plantings that will look great around the foundation of your home.
When and How to Harvest Spinach at Its Peak

When and How to Harvest Spinach at Its Peak

Learn how to harvest spinach microgreens, baby leaves, and mature greens with these simple tips.
The Plant Food That Saved My Roses Is Almost  at My Local Flower Shop, but It’s  at Amazon Right Now

The Plant Food That Saved My Roses Is Almost at My Local Flower Shop, but It’s at Amazon Right Now

One writer’s Knock Out roses were looking worse for wear, and now, thanks to an Instagram recommendation for a Amazon product, these blooms are thriving. Shop the Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food on sale for 25 percent off.
How to Use Fertilizer for Plants According to Experts

How to Use Fertilizer for Plants According to Experts

Get expert tips on fertilizing plants, including the best formulation for both houseplants and garden plants, as well as how frequently you should feed them.
30 Facts About Plants You Didn't Know Until Now

30 Facts About Plants You Didn't Know Until Now

Did you know you can cut onions without crying? Here are some fun and interesting facts about plants.
Ladybug vs. Asian Lady Beetle: How to Tell the Good Bug from the Bad Bug

Ladybug vs. Asian Lady Beetle: How to Tell the Good Bug from the Bad Bug

A ladybug and an Asian lady beetle look similar, but one type helps control unwanted insects in the garden while the other is a pest itself. Here's how to tell these similar-looking bugs apart.