I surrendered to the heartbreak of late blight and turned my tomato patch into a rose garden this year. Because the area is next to our screen porch I planted roses that have a reputation for fragrance.
Unfortunately once I started gathering information about rose cultivars, it was hard to stop shopping.
In one instance I veered off course from fragrance and chose a rose for its habit of blooming all summer long. I’m talking about the latest Knock Out Rose, ‘Rainbow Knock Out’.
I am completely in love with this free-flowering little rose.
It’s more compact than other Knock Out roses but maintains the same disease-resistance and bushy habit. The flowers are coral-pink with a yellow center.
I was reluctant to purchase ‘Rainbow Knock Out’ because there are a number of complaints online saying the plant’s flowers fade dramatically in the sun. I haven’t noticed that at all, even after enduring temperatures in the mid-90s. My plant gets dappled morning sun and then full sun from noon until early evening. Some of my blooms appear more carmine-pink, but they certainly haven’t faded to pale pink or white.
‘Rainbow Knock Out’ can grow up to 3 feet tall and tolerates more shade than most roses. It’s hardy in zones 5-11. I have 2 other Knock Out roses in my zone 5a garden, and they’ve survived some pretty nasty winters so far without any protection. I’m expecting the same from the newest Knock Out in my collection.