New roses are knockouts

Rose gardener "wannabes" often ask me how to start a rose garden. The conversation usually goes something like this:

"I really want to grow long-term hybrid tea roses, just like my grandmother used to do. How do I get started?"

I usually respond by saying, "You need to find varieties that are resistant to black spot disease."

Unfortunately, even varieties that are considered resistant still tend to have black spot in Missouri because of our high summer temperature and humidity. In order to keep black spot off of your roses, you need to spray them every week with a combination of one or more fungicides.

THEM: "You mean I have to spray the roses every week?!"

ME: "Yes, you not only have to spray roses every week for black spot, but you also need to treat them for thrips, an insect that keeps the blooms from opening like they should."

THEM: "Well, is there anything else I have to do?"

ME: "You need to prune your roses every fall and spring. You also have to fertilize them on a monthly basis. And finally, you have to winterize your rose bushes to keep them from freezing out."

THEM: "I'm going to rethink this whole rose thing. It sounds like too much work for me."

If you are thinking like the budding rose gardener above, then you should consider a new rose on the market called the Knockout Rose. This rose, hybridized by William Radler and introduced in 2000, has eliminated most of the rose problems that plague gardeners.

I have grown Knockouts for two years in landscapes and have found that absolutely no fungicide applications need to be made. Their foliage shows little sign of black spot.

I have found a few plants that have been attacked by spider mites, but one application of kelthane knocks them out. Even Knockout rose bushes that have spider mites continue to bloom in spite of the problem.

If you want to try some Knockout roses, don't think you can choose any color under the rainbow. Currently, Knockouts come in red, pink and blushing pink. There is an effort underway to bring additional colors to the market, but they are not here yet.

Another advantage of Knockouts is that you don't have to dead head them to keep them blooming. I have not touched the ones in my landscape at all. They continue to bloom their heads off from early spring until late fall without fail.

Traditional hybrid tea roses require pruning in the fall and spring to keep them blooming and in shape. I have not pruned my Knockouts at all. These mature rose bushes are about three feet tall and three feet wide, the perfect size for most landscapes.

If you want to add color to a sunny location in your landscape, consider planting some Knockout roses. I think you will be pleasantly surprised as to how well they grow and how well they bloom, without a lot of investment in time and money.

Send your gardening and landscape questions to Paul Schnare at P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0699 or by e-mail to news@semissourian.com.