How to Grow Double Pink Knockout Rose

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Double Pink Knockout Rose

Rosa 'Double Pink Knockout'

shrub

Double Pink Knockout is a modern shrub rose known for its full, ruffled pink flowers and exceptional disease resistance. It blooms continuously from spring through frost without requiring deadheading, making it an easy-care landscape rose. This cultivar is a sport of the original Pink Knockout and produces deeper, more voluptuous blooms.

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Example Double Pink Knockout Rose timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Double Pink Knockout Rose
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Double Pink Knockout Rose
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Double Pink Knockout Rose dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (minimum 6 hours; more sun increases blooms)

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Water: Water deeply and regularly, especially during establishment and dry spells. Provide 1-2 inches per week. Water at soil level to keep foliage dry and reduce disease. Once established, moderately drought-tolerant.

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Spacing: 36 inches

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Days to maturity: Blooms begin in first season; full maturity at 2-3 years

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Planting depth: Plant grafted roses with bud union 1-2 inches below soil surface in cold climates; at or slightly above soil surface in warm climates

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil

pH: 6.0-6.5

Amendments:

compost aged manure peat moss perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-10, with best performance in zones 6-9

5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

Establishment

4-8 weeks

Newly planted rose with minimal growth, focused on root development

Water frequently to keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Avoid fertilizing for first 4-6 weeks. Mulch around base to retain moisture. Provide afternoon shade if planted in hot climates during first year.

Vegetative Growth

Spring through early summer

Canes elongate and foliage fills in; plant develops fuller structure

Begin fertilizing with balanced or rose-specific fertilizer once active growth starts. Prune lightly to shape if needed. Remove any diseased or dead canes. Monitor for pests.

First Bloom Flush

6-8 weeks depending on variety and climate

First clusters of flowers appear, typically large and prolific

Roses often sacrifice bloom size for quantity—this is normal. Continue regular watering and fertilizing. No deadheading required (key trait of Knockout series), though you may remove spent clusters for appearance.

Continuous Blooming

Summer through first frost

Flowers appear in waves throughout season without deadheading; plant maintains fullness and vigor

Maintain consistent moisture. Fertilize every 4-6 weeks through mid-summer (stop in late summer to harden off for winter). Watch for spider mites in hot weather. Enjoy continuous color.

Fall Dormancy & Winter Rest

Fall through early spring

Growth slows; flowers may be smaller and lighter in color in cool weather

Reduce fertilizing in late August/September. In zones 5-7, cut back in spring (not fall) by one-third to one-half after danger of severe frost passes. In warmer zones, light pruning in late winter. Apply winter mulch in cold climates.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Catmint (Nepeta) Russian Sage (Perovskia) Coreopsis Salvia Lavender Daylily Black-eyed Susan Ornamental grasses

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut (toxic juglone) Competitive shallow-rooted plants Plants requiring very wet conditions

Common Pests

Spray foliage with water to dislodge; use miticide if severe. Increase humidity. Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer.
Spray with strong water stream or insecticidal soap. Beneficial insects (ladybugs, lacewings) help control naturally.
Hand-pick in early morning or use pheromone traps away from roses. Apply neem oil or insecticide if populations heavy.
Disease spreads by mites; no cure. Remove and destroy infected plants. Maintain plant health and control mite populations.
Ensure good air circulation and morning leaf drying. Avoid wetting foliage. Use sulfur or fungicide if severe. Double Pink Knockout has good resistance.

Uses

🍳

Rose Water & Edible Petals

Culinary

While ornamental varieties are not typically consumed, some heirloom and culinary rose petals can be used in teas, syrups, and garnishes. Double Pink Knockout petals are edible but primarily appreciated for ornamental value. [source]

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Traditional Rose Remedies

Medicinal

Rose petals and hips have been used in traditional medicine for vitamin C, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties. Double Pink Knockout is primarily ornamental but part of the broader rose family's historical medicinal use. [source]

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Landscape & Garden Beauty

Household

Double Pink Knockout is extensively used in landscape design for continuous color, low maintenance, and disease resistance. Its self-cleaning blooms and reliable performance make it ideal for foundation plantings, borders, and mixed shrub beds. [source]

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Pollinator Support

Wildlife

The abundant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout the growing season. However, note that Double Pink Knockout flowers are often sterile or produce minimal viable seed due to their hybridization. [source]

🎨

Cut Flowers & Arrangements

Craft

The full, attractive pink blooms are suitable for fresh flower arrangements and bouquets, though they lack fragrance. The continuous bloom makes them a reliable source of cut flowers throughout the season. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Knock Out roses are ornamental shrubs rather than cut flowers, though blooms may be cut for arrangements. Cut stems early morning when flowers are fully open. The flowers are sterile and do not produce viable seeds. Continuous blooming occurs without deadheading, but removing spent flower clusters can encourage bushier growth.

Fun Facts

🌱 The Knockout rose series (introduced in 1999) revolutionized home gardening by combining continuous bloom with disease resistance and low-maintenance requirements. Double Pink Knockout's parent, Pink Knockout, has won numerous horticultural awards.
🌱 Double Pink Knockout flowers are naturally sterile, meaning the plant doesn't produce seeds and devotes all its energy to continuous flowering rather than seed production—a key to its prolific blooming.
🌱 This rose requires no deadheading (removal of spent flowers), a feature that distinguishes it from traditional garden roses and saves gardeners significant time and effort while maintaining continuous color.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Mulch

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