America’s Best-Selling Rose — For Good Reason
The Double Knock Out® Rose (Rosa 'Radtko') is the most popular rose in the United States, and it’s earned that title by doing everything a rose should do — and almost nothing you don’t want it to. Fully double, cherry-red blooms cover the plant from spring until the first hard frost, with no deadheading required to keep the flowers coming. It’s dramatically more disease-resistant than traditional roses, drought-tolerant once established, and requires a fraction of the maintenance of classic hybrid teas. If you’ve ever given up on roses, this is the one that will change your mind.
Why Double Knock Out® Outperforms Other Roses
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Continuous blooming spring to frost — reblooms in flushes every 5–6 weeks without deadheading; one of the longest bloom seasons of any shrub rose
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Fully double flowers — lush, multi-petaled cherry-red blooms with a light, pleasant fragrance
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Exceptional disease resistance — highly resistant to black spot, powdery mildew, and other common rose diseases that plague traditional varieties
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Drought-tolerant once established — far more resilient in dry conditions than hybrid tea roses
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Self-cleaning — spent blooms drop cleanly without deadheading, keeping the plant tidy and encouraging the next flush
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Pollinator magnet — attracts butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects throughout the bloom season
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Versatile landscape use — works as a specimen, mass planting, low hedge, border accent, or container plant
Hardiness & Growing Zones
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USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9
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Zones 5–6: Hardy in-ground; may die back partially in harsh winters but regrows vigorously from the crown in spring; mulch heavily around the base before first frost
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Zones 7–8: Ideal conditions; vigorous growth with prolific, continuous blooming from spring through fall
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Zone 9: Thrives in heat; may experience a brief summer slowdown in the hottest periods, then rebounds with a strong fall bloom flush
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Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours required; 8+ hours for best bloom production and disease resistance)
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Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic (pH 6.0–6.5); adaptable to most soil types with good drainage
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Mature size: 3–4 ft tall × 3–4 ft wide
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Bloom time: Spring through first hard frost (April–November in most zones)
Planting & Care Tips
Plant in the sunniest spot available with good air circulation — air flow helps prevent the few disease issues this rose can encounter. Water deeply during the first growing season to establish roots, then reduce frequency. Fertilize in early spring with a rose-specific or balanced slow-release fertilizer; a second application in midsummer encourages a strong fall bloom flush. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges — cut back by one-third to one-half to encourage vigorous new growth and the largest bloom display. No deadheading required, but removing spent clusters can slightly accelerate the next flush.
Available Options
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1 Gallon (Single) — most economical; great for mass planting projects
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1 Gallon (2-Pack) — two plants at a value price; ideal for borders or hedges
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2 Gallon (Single) — well-established root system; faster to first bloom
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3 Gallon (Single) — most established size; may bloom first season after planting
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3 Gallon (2-Pack) — two large plants; best value for immediate landscape impact
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1–2 ft. (2 Gallon) — taller specimen; ready to anchor a border or planting bed