All About Double Knock Out Roses

The double knock out rose stays true to its name, for, unlike its sister, the knock out rose, the double knock out rose has twice as many petals.  In fact, it has been observed that the number of petals on a double knock out rose ranges anywhere from eighteen to twenty five on a single bloom, and the blooms grow in clumps of one to five. Double knock out roses are incredibly easy to maintain.  Originally bred by Bill Radler, who also bred the knock out rose, the double knock out rose, or Rosa Hybrida ‘Radtko’, typically produces blooms that are deep red in color and cradled in a nest of dark green foliage.

Double Knock Out Description

The blooms on double knock out roses are about three to three and a half inches in diameter while the entire rose bush itself is roughly four feet tall.  This flower blooms in the spring, around June, and gives off a sweet fragrance sure to compliment any garden.  These plants look best when planted together in groups of three of more, and when they are offset by other plant varieties.

Planting Double Knock Out Roses

In order to plant a double knock out rose, you must first dig a hole that is a little shallower than the plant’s roots but twice as wide.  When deciding on a place to plant your roses, remember, double knock out roses prefer full sunlight to partial shade.  The area should also receive proper drainage, for these roses should never be planted in an area that tends to collect excess amounts of water.  Pools of water can wear away at a rose’s roots and impeded its growth.

Separate the roots of the roses and place the plant in your freshly dug hole.  Be sure to keep the soil surrounding the roots light and porous.  Do not pack the soil surrounding your roses or they won’t be able to breath.  Complete the planting process by covering the roots with mulch and water the roses.  The mulch will help retain the water and hydrate the roses.

Never let your roses dry out.  Avoid this detrimental problem by watering your roses at regular intervals and feed them once a month.  In the winter, the roses should be covered, although the double knock out rose does do better weathering the cold, winter months than its predecessor, the knock out rose.

Pruning Double Knock Out Roses

In a sense, double knock out roses pretty much prune themselves and require very little effort on the part of their caretaker.  When a bloom it dead, it will fall off on its own removing the need for you to deadhead the blooms by hand.  The flower will bloom again, even if it sheds its bloom without being deadheaded.  Clean the surrounding area of debris so your roses can have a healthy space in which to grow and trim the rose bush as you see necessary.  If you do move to deadhead a rose before it falls off, be sure to use sharp, sterilized scissors or shears.

With these tips, your double knock out roses are sure to be a beautiful focal point of your garden.