Knock Out those Roses

 By The Plant Lady

           Roses are one of the most popular flowers in the world, and they've been a symbol of love and romance for centuries.
           But they are a terrific challenge to grow in South Florida. That's not to say you can't do it, just that it will take almost constant coddling. First, you need to buy grafted roses that are on rootstock that can survive Florida's harsh conditions--poor sandy soil, a year round growing season, and nematodes, which are microscopic worms that eat roots. The Florida-friendly varieties are Rosa fortuniana, Dr. Huey, and Rosa Multiflora. Anything else may start off fine, but is unlikely to last.
          Even roses suited for Florida are needy: You have to amend your soil 12 inches deep, water several times a week during dry periods, fertilize frequently and trim and prune often. Oh, and you will need to spray for fungi (black spot and powdery mildew) and insects as often as once a week. Is it worth it? 
          That depends on how much you like roses, and how much maintenance you are willing to put up with. Also, your tolerance for chemicals has to factor into the equation. Remember, roses are not the only beautiful flowers you can grow in South Florida, and most of the others are much less demanding, even orchids.
          But there are a couple easier ways to get your rose fix.  You can hunt down Old Garden Roses at nurseries that offer them or get cuttings from friends. OGRs are otherwise known as heirloom or antique roses and were first cultivated here in the mid-1800s. The flowers are not as big and flashy, but they bloom a lot and seemingly grow themselves, and you won't have to make a career out of tending them. 
            Another solution is Knock Out Roses. These shrub roses were introduced in 2000 and are popular throughout the country, because they bloom profusely and don't take a lot of care. In South Florida they bloom year round. Although the University of Florida advises that they have "good heat and humidity tolerance that allows them to grow through Zone 9," you will find them doing well right here in Zone 10 and the label actually promises that they will thrive up to Zone 11 (The Keys).
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             They are extremely popular because they are more disease resistant than most roses, especially when it comes to black spot. But while they do give rose growers relief from the the always annoying black spot plague, that doesn't mean they are bullet-proof.
            The University of Florida states that Knock Out Roses are, like all cultivated roses, susceptible to powdery mildew. This causes the leaves to eventually turn brown and crunchy. On its Gardening Solutions website, it states they can also fall victim to Cercospora, a leaf spot fungus.
             I have five Knock Out roses, and they do indeed get brown crunchy leaves on occasion and maybe some leaf spot too. No big deal. Snip, snip and it's gone.
            I have had Don Juan climbing roses on rosa fortuniana stock, and the problems with Knock Out Roses pale in comparison. I eventually got tired of feeding, spraying and watering the Don Juans, which were always thick with black spot, despite all my efforts, and I got rid of them. 
          I do very little to my Knock Out Roses, other than give them some Knock Out Rose fertilizer a couple times a year, pick off some dead leaves, and deadhead. (Don't believe the literature that claims they are self-pruning. Mine are not.) I have never sprayed them.
            Of course, in my opinion, the individual Knock Out Rose bloom, even the "double" Knock Out Rose, which I have, is not anywhere near as spectacular as the typical hybrid tea rose. But they bloom a lot, and as the bushes get more shrub-like, they make a dramatic statement. The flowers, though relatively small and short-lived, are brightly colored and cheerful. After our recent cold spurts, I had some of the prettiest blooms yet. 
            They look best planted next to each other in a hedge-like formation. They don't grow all that fast, and it make take several years to get those massive bushy displays shown on the labels. 
            But I like Knock Out Roses because they help fulfill my Midwestern yearning for roses, without causing me a lot of trouble.
            For more on the planting and care of Knock Out Roses, put University of Florida Gardening Solutions and Knock Out Roses in your browser.