Who can think of the month of February without thinking of a Rose? The rose is of the genus Rosa and is a woody perennial. It belongs to the family Rosaceae. Although we associate getting roses from our loved one with the hybrid tea rose, my favorite to grow is a “true knockout”. The Knock Out® Rose is the most carefree rose you can grow. It’s winter hardy as well as heat tolerant. It’s even self-cleaning, although you may want to deadhead it after bloom to encourage additions flowers. This rose is also the most disease resistant making it a great choice for the garden. You can find it blooming every 5-6 weeks until there is a hard frost. Knock Out® roses come available in a variety of colors with single or double blooms. To top all of these positive growth habits, you also find them available fragrant. To add one more benefit of this plant; its foliage is a health lush green that looks good even when the plant is not producing blooms. What more could a gardener ask for in a rose? Just sit back and enjoy it’s beauty. Plant it for a shrub border, a hedge or for a foundation planting. I’ve even added them into containers. It’s a great stand alone rose, but accents other plants perfectly. We are all aware of how much we have to maintain the typical hybrid tea by pruning, making sure it doesn’t have black spot or even downy mildew and getting that one or two few blooming times a season. This rose gives us beauty throughout the season. Plant one this spring, if you haven’t already and enjoy. Send me your photos for Foto Friday of your favorite rose.
Monroe County Master Gardener Association 
Linda I have attached a photo of my Knock Out Roses. Are the monthly meetings open to the public? And if so, where is the location? I would like to attend. After retiring 2 years ago, I worked for the Olander Park system helping to maintain their landscape. Last spring I began working for the Anderson’s in the outdoor nursery, most recently I took the exam to become an Ohio Certified Nursery Technician, fom there I hope to become a Master Gardner. Sam DeCola Temperance Mi.
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Welcome to our Blog. I have sent you a personal e-mail with additional information about our Master Gardener Program and meetings. We would love to have you as a guest at one of our meetings. Please review the e-mail I sent for further details. .