When we first moved here (this is our 6th spring) one of my neighbors was really happy with her knockout roses. She has a beautiful yard. But this year I am seeing gaps in the border of rose bushes.

I love roses, but am looking for easier plants to raise. The new "everydaylily" reminded me of the knockout roses and I wonder how both will/are holding up?

Is anyone raising knock out roses or have any experience with them? Thanks.

I am one of the lucky ones that has won knock out roses from the "Not a raffle - raffle".
I have had them for 2 and three years now. I had to plant them in containers buried in the ground because I have "hundreds" of gophers that are voracious eaters.
I am super happy with these little roses
Let me know if you have any questions

The double knockout TKR was the very first to bud of all my roses

I'm confused by your responses, Toni. I don't remember Knock Out roses being prizes in the not-a-raffle raffles. You also refer to them as "little roses," which wouldn't be a common description for Knock Out roses. In addition, the roses in your photo bear no resemblance to any Knock Out roses I've seen. Are you referring to Drift roses?

What is TKR?

Flowersgalore, we've had many discussions of Knock Out roses in the forum over the years, and the consensus seems to be this: They are not particularly popular with rose gardeners because they fall short in comparison with the appearance and aroma of other roses. They are highly popular with landscapers, however, because most easy-care garden shrubs are once-bloomers, whereas Knock Out roses are repeat-bloomers.

Here's one of the forum threads that generated a lot of discussion -- more than 400 responses.

The thread "I Hate Knock Out Roses" in Roses forum

What a "recommendation"!

Toni said:
I am one of the lucky ones that has won knock out roses from the "Not a raffle - raffle".
I have had them for 2 and three years now. I had to plant them in containers buried in the ground because I have "hundreds" of gophers that are voracious eaters.
I am super happy with these little roses
Let me know if you have any questions

Thank you, Toni. Sounds like you are happy with the knock outs after several years.

zuzu said:Here's one of the forum threads that generated a lot of discussion -- more than 400 responses.

The thread "I Hate Knock Out Roses" in Roses forum

Didn't read the entire thread, but seems most don't think knock outs compare well to regular roses. Thanks for the link, though.

Knock Outs are just like any other rose in their growth and needs. A rose is a rose whether it is a KO, hybrid tea, climber, old garden rose, miniature or any other type of rose. They all need the same conditions and will benefit from the same good care.

As to why your neighbor's KOs aren't doing well, it could be any number of things, a bad winter, poor care, disease, etc. Roses do not just fail for no reason and do not get too old. I have roses in my yard that are over 60 years old.

If you are looking for easy care roses there are many to chose from but they all will still need all the basic conditions and care, 6 to 8 hours of full sunlight, good soil, enough water ( 1 inch per week), a pruning in the spring and some fertilizer now and then.

My personal favorite for ease of care is Julia Child. It is very disease resistant, winter hardy and blooms a great deal all season. However, if you research easy care roses you will find many more to choose from.

Toni, your rose is lovely but it is not any kind of Knock Out rose I have EVER seen.