Knock Out roses have changed the way home gardeners perceive roses. With the debut of the original Knock Out roses in 2000, the emergence of shrub roses for landscape gardening has taken Louisiana and the nation by storm.
With gardeners always wanting something new, 2009 brings the newest member of the Knock Out rose family – Sunny Knock Out. This variety is the seventh variety in the Knock Out rose group and has bright, golden-yellow flower buds that open to yellow. The petals quickly turn a creamy pale yellow and then fade a little more over the next couple days. Blooms are single form with 5-7 petals per flower. Flower diameter is 3 inches. Plant size is considered medium – probably 4-5 feet under Louisiana growing conditions. It is a smaller-growing Knock Out rose when compared to most of the other Knock Out rose varieties.
The Sunny Knock Out rose was developed by William Radler, the same rose breeder responsible for the other Knock Out roses. It is released from The Conard Pyle Company/Star Roses and is classified as a landscape shrub rose. Other varieties in the Knock Out family include the original Knock Out, Knock Out Pink, Blushing Knock Out, Rainbow Knock Out, Double Knock Out, and Pink Double Knock Out.
Sunny Knock Out was evaluated during the 2008 season at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station. It showed excellent blackspot resistance under a “no fungicide spray” program. Plants reach 36 inches tall at the end of the first year in the gardens at Hammond.
The new Sunny Knock Out is recommended for our Louisiana landscapes and is currently available at selected independent retail gardens centers and wholesale growers in Louisiana.