Roses can add an elegant touch to your yard and an appealing fragrance that will make spending time in your garden even more pleasant. However, these plants have a reputation for being challenging and hard to grow. After all, these plants need regular pruning, consistent spraying (to keep pests and insects at bay), feeding, and constant attention. Still, they are among the best-selling landscape plants: many people love them because of their long-blooming season and aesthetic appeal.
Luckily, not all roses are so challenging to grow. Among the varieties you find on the market, Knockout roses are some of the lowest-maintenance species. Indeed, they are resistant to most pests and diseases (reducing the burden of constant spraying) and relatively easier to care for compared to other plants of the rose family.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you can plant them anywhere and expect them to thrive. Indeed, these roses still have requirements you’ll need to fulfill with proper watering, pruning, feeding, and lighting.
Knockout roses are hardy to USDA hardiness zones from 4 to 9 and bloom from early spring through fall: if you need something to brighten your garden (and you like the idea to enjoy a long blooming season), these plants might be your best option. But what if you don’t have a sunny corner of your yard to dedicate them? Will Knockout roses grow in the shade?
You are in the right place to find out. Keep reading this essential guide to learning how to take care of knockout roses to get the best out of them and enjoy their beauty.
Will Knockout Roses Grow in the Shade?
Let’s go straight to the answer to this question. Roses (including the Knockout hybrid) need full sun to thrive. The best place to plant them is in a location that gets plenty of light in the morning but not so much during the afternoon when the heat becomes extreme. You should aim for about six to eight hours of sunlight per day. But what if you can’t do that?
The truth is that your rose plants might survive with less light. But remember that surviving isn’t the same as thriving. You’ll probably get a lower flower production, and the shrub might stop growing. But the results depend on your local climate too.
In cold regions, where the sun is less intense, planting your knockout roses in the shade means depriving them of a necessary element they need to produce blooms and grow healthy. The results will be unsatisfactory. If you can, place them in a sunny location instead.
But if you live somewhere with a dry climate and hot temperatures, you might have better luck growing your knockout roses in the shade. Indeed, these plants might suffer from scorching heat and dry conditions. Partial shade will work well for your knockout roses.
Overall, don’t expect to get satisfactory results by planting your knockout roses in the shade. As you probably know, all plants need sunlight to thrive (even if in different amounts). While your roses might not die from lack of sun, they will not grow as well as you might expect.
Knockout Roses Care: Our Tips
As you may know, a low-maintenance plant still needs some care. And the same applies to knockout roses. Besides choosing an ideal location for them, you must also ensure to plant them in slightly acidic soil and water them regularly.
The optimal pH levels for this plant are between 5.5 and 6.5. If your garden is more alkaline, make sure you amend your substrate accordingly. Carry out a soil test before making any changes to know what products to purchase.
Also, keep in mind that your watering schedule must be consistent but in line with your climate conditions. Don’t forget the knockout roses like moisture but are also drought tolerant: watering them once every week will be enough if you don’t live in extreme weather.
For best results, fertilize your knockout roses once a month during the growing season using a balanced slow-release product. Also, prune your plants in late winter to encourage new growth in the spring, maintain an attractive shape, and ensure proper air circulation.
Will Knockout Roses Grow in the Shade?: Final thoughts
By following our recommendations, you can rest assured you won’t have to worry too much about growing knockout roses in your garden!
Related Article: Growing Climbing Roses in Zone 6