Knocked Out By Your Roses

by Shelly Nold

KNOCK OUT ROSES ARE THE MOST widely sold roses in the United States today, and for good reason. These easy-to-care-for, reblooming, and self-cleaning roses are perfect for low-maintenance gardens.

THERE ARE SEVEN DIFFERENT Knock Outs to choose from:

* “Radrazz,” the (original) Knock Out Rose with its single cherry red/hot pink flowers

* “Radtko,” the Double Knock Out Rose with double cherry red/hot pink flowers

* “Radcon,” the Pink Knock Out Rose with single bright pink flowers

* “Radtkopink,” the Double Pink Knock Out Rose, with double bright pink flowers

* “Radcor,” the Rainbow Knock Out Rose with coral-pink flowers with a yellow center

* “Radyod,” the Blushing Knock Out Rose with single light pink flowers

* “Radsunny,” the Sunny Knock Out Rose with single bright yellow/pale yellow flowers

ALL ARE SAID TO BE DISEASE-RESISTANT, winter-hardy in USDA zones 5 through 10, and quite heat-tolerant. When unpruned, they will grow 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. They bloom from spring to first frost about every five to six weeks. Each one is still unique and will have subtle differences in growth habit, foliage color and sheen, size of flower, vigor, disease resistance, and overall performance.

THE FLOWERS, WHETHER SINGLE OR DOUBLE, are profuse bloomers, making them difficult to cut and put in a vase but perfect for the landscape. They are particularly beautiful when viewed from a distance and when planted in groups of three or more. These low-maintenance roses are appropriate for both residential and commercial use.

ONE IMPORTANT MAINTENANCE PRACTICE is recommended: all Knock Out roses should be cut back anytime in the late winter to early spring to about 18 inches. This maintenance technique will give you more compact and heavier blooming plants each year, for the most enjoyment with the least amount of effort from your garden.

Shelly Nold is a horticulturist and owner of The Plant Kingdom. Send stories and ideas to her at The Plant Kingdom, 4101 Westport Road, Louisville, KY 40207.

ASK THE GARDENER

by Angie McManus

Where can I find a gooseberry plant?

There are a few different varieties of gooseberries, although most of them are derived from the European gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa) and the American gooseberry (Ribes hirtellum). These berries are typically grown for making jams, jellies, and pies, but some varieties are very tasty just by themselves and are a close cousin to currants.

To buy these plants, you might first call around to local garden centers and nurseries or check out your local farmers’ market. If local suppliers do not have them, you can always ask if they are willing to try to find them for you. In most cases they are happy to do this.

If you cannot find them locally, there are several online sources that have these berries on their mail order lists. Gurney’s, located in Indiana, can be reached at (513) 354-1491 or online at www.gurneys.com. Stark Bros., located in Louisiana, is another online source. They can be reached at (800) 325-4180 or www.starkbros.com. Both companies have guarantee policies.

For more information on growing gooseberries in Kentucky, visit www.uky.edu/Ag/NewCrops/introsheets/currants.pdf to automatically download a PDF file.

HAVE A GARDENING QUESTION?

Go to www.KentuckyLiving.com, click on Home & Garden, then “Ask The Gardener.”