NATIONAL KNOCK OUT ROSE DAY
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NATIONAL KNOCK OUT® ROSE DAY
National Knock Out® Rose Day is celebrated on the Friday before Mother’s Day. This fun National Day celebrates the beautiful Knock Out® rose and its iconic clusters of deep pink blooms. Read on to discover more about this groundbreaking rose and see why it is so beloved by gardeners everywhere.
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Roses have always had a reputation for being a finicky, hard-to-grow flower. Many varieties require special care, such as regular pruning, sprays, and fertilization in order to produce healthy blooms. Roses are also susceptible to pests and disease, which is particularly challenging for beginning gardeners.
5 Rose Tidbits
Fossil evidence points to roses being at least 35 million years old.
Roses symbolize love, war, politics and beauty.
Cultivation of the rose began in China around 5,000 years ago.
There are over 150 rose species found in the Northern Hemisphere alone and around 30,000 different genetic rose cultivars in the world.
Knock Out® Roses are one of the most popular roses found in nearly every rose garden.
Coming Up Roses
In 1992, rose breeder Will Radler sent the then unnamed Knock Out® Rose to Star® Roses and Plants for testing and trialing. It quickly became obvious that this new rose genetic was unlike anything seen in the market. It was special. The beautiful, deep pink-to-red petals grew vigorously and with minimal maintenance. In fact, the flowers would bloom, and rebloom, and rebloom again without regular pruning, fertilization, and pest control.
Flash forward to 2000 and the introduction of The Knock Out® Rose to the market. Immediately, the plant received an All-America Rose Selection (AARS) award. From there, it effortlessly became the standard for modern roses and a way to welcome new gardeners to the joy of growing roses. Today, it is hard to find a neighborhood that doesn’t include these cheerful red blooms.
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The Knock Out® Family of Roses has expanded with new colors and now includes 12 varieties, giving a positive growing experience to millions of gardeners each year. The iconic, deep pink blooms are unlike any other flowering shrub and are instantly recognizable everywhere you look! You can find them in front lawns, along neighborhood sidewalks, and in shopping center medians.
HOW TO CELEBRATE KNOCK OUT ROSE DAY
Add extra beauty to your flower garden by planting a few varieties of Knock Out® Roses in your garden.
Show your love by gifting a Knock Out® Rose bouquet to a loved one to brighten their day.
Take a walk in your neighborhood and see how many Knock Out® shrubs you find.
Visit your local garden center to get inspiration on how to include Knock Out® Roses in your garden.
Share your photos of your Knock Out® Roses to inspire others to plant this beautiful flower on social media using the hashtag #NationalKnockOutRoseDay.
HISTORY OF THE KNOCK OUT® ROSE DAY
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National Knock Out® Rose Day was approved by the National Day Calendar Registrar in 2024 on behalf of Star® Roses and Plants. Beginning in 2025, the Friday Before Mother's Day, we will be celebrating this low-maintenance, modern rose and its iconic, deep-pink blooms.
The revolutionary rose brand known as the Knock Out® Family of Roses is celebrating 25 years in 2025. This is a huge accomplishment in an industry where plants are introduced and then easily replaced with better, brighter varieties. The success of the Knock Out® Rose tells the story of how this beautiful flower has stood the test of time with gardeners everywhere.
About the Founder
Star® Roses and Plants is a family of brands that prides itself in being a one-stop-shop for growers, landscapers, retailers and home gardeners. For over 125 years, the company has brought great plants to the world’s gardens and continues to breed and introduce breakthrough roses, edibles and woody ornamentals. Their most notable brands include The Knock Out® Family of Roses, Drift® Roses, Bushel and Berry® and Bloomables®. Star® Roses and Plants is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ball Horticultural.