The Garden Club January 25, 2007

The Best Keeps Getting Better!
Gardeners across the nation loved the original Knockout Rose. They found it to be as low-maintenance as any shrub could be, but with a longer blooming period than virtually any hardy garden plant. They loved its offspring, the hybrid Double Knockout, even more. We predict even greater success for this new member of the Knockout family, the 2007 introduction: 'Pink Double Knockout.'

'Pink Double Knockout' is a mutation of (Red) Double Knockout and is the same in all respects, except the flower color is hot bubble gum pink. You get the same combination of double blooms, low maintenance (no spraying, no dead-heading, and no mounding with soil for winter protection) and continuous repeat bloom. Like Double Knockout, 'Pink Double Knockout' will be even more floriferous than the original Knockout - with petal counts of 18-25 (twice the number of Knockout) carried with 3-6 roses on a stem. The additional petals present a fuller flower that is simply breathtaking. Three or four stems will fill a large vase. The blooms are about 2 1/2 inches wide and are borne in incredible abundance. Without dead-heading, the blooms maintain a continuous show of color from early June to hard frost - accompanied by beautiful clean foliage almost year round. The new growth is a dramatic burgundy red.

Both Double Knockouts present themselves in a denser, more compact (4 x 4 feet) and upright fashion than the original Knockout's 5-6 foot height and broad, spreading form. The season-ending color of this rose is exceptional with its rich burgundy leaves in the fall. Everything you loved about the original Knockout roses you will love about the new 'Pink Double Knockout' - with even more winter hardiness, improved shade tolerance, reduced height and width - and the brightest color of all the Knockouts.

The eye-catching, bright pink color is a real stand out in the garden and combines beautifully with blue and purple clematis. Because of 'Pink Double Knockout's' superior low-maintenance performance, it offers outstanding versatility of use - one rose planted by itself; several amongst your favorite perennials; or plant them as an appealing hedge.

Planting and Care

Hardy in Zones 4-9.
Choose a spot in 4-5 hours (or more) of sun with well drained soil.
Enhance soil with compost, such as Chesapeake Blue Crab Compost.
Water regularly until established.
Once established fertilize monthly with Rose-Tone from March 15th to August 15th.
Mulch with 2-3 inches of aged shredded hardwood mulch.
When necessary, prune in mid-March before the leaves appear. Never prune back shorter than 18 inches from the ground.

Be the first in your neighborhood to display this beautiful rose! Order quickly. 'Pink Double Knockout' is available in limited quantities. These roses are own root. They will be shipped in early-mid spring from 3-gallon pots.

A great Valentine's Day Gift. Hint! Hint!

$29.85, three or more shipped to one address only $25.85 each. 'Pink Double Knockout' will be shipped at the correct time for planting this spring. For Valentine gift giving, a lovely certificate with a color picture of 'Pink Double Knockout' will be sent to the recipient or yourself. If we are sending the certificate directly to the recipient, we will enclose a Valentine's Day card. Please let us know in the special instructions section of the order screen if the rose is for a sweetheart, wife, friend or mother so that we can send the appropriate card.

Pink Double Knockout Rose (PPAF)

Garden Club Questions and Answers

Question: Does Camellia Spring's Promise ever drop its leaves and would it grow on a trellis?

Answer: Camellias can be trained on a trellis and they make quite a handsome display when so trained. All camellias are evergreen.

Question: Would Aucuba japonica 'Gold Dust' do well in the same conditions as the Camellia Spring's Promise? I have been thinking of planting them together. Also, would the Aucuba do well in a (different) site that is shaded most of the year, but would get afternoon sun in winter?

Answer: The answer to both of your questions is simply yes.

Question: Can a Camellia be grown indoors as a house plant? Because Spring's Promise blooms in the winter, it seems like a great way to have some flowers indoors.

Answer: Camellias are commonly used as indoor conservatory plants, especially in Europe. They do best in a place that is brightly lit during the day and cool, especially at night. Camellias should spend the summer out of doors. Move them outside after the danger of frost. However, they should remain outdoors through several frosts and not be moved indoors until mid-late fall.

Question: We have a grass which is invading the shady areas of our yard and lawn. It seems to be an annual. It grows a little over a foot tall and kind of flops over and is light green. A few years ago we had just a little bit and now it has absolutely taken over.

Answer: I suspect that you have Japanese Stilt Grass. It is truly an invasive annual that got started in the US when the grass was used as a packing material around crockery shipped from the Orient. This grass does best in acid soil, so liming your soil to near neutral (PH 7.0) may help. The best preventative I have found is Dimension Crabgrass Preventer applied at the same strength and the same dates that you would to prevent crabgrass.

Question: I would like to attract more Robins to my yard. I know they like to nest in trees so I guess putting up a birdhouse wouldn't help. Do you have any other suggestions?

Answer: Robins will nest in birdhouses if you remove the entire front leaving what is basically a shelf that is sheltered by the three sides and roof. The sheltered shelf birdhouse should be firmly attached and not hung where it can sway in the breeze. A shallow birdbath is also a great attractant for Robins.

Question: My two year old sodded lawn was invaded last spring, with Green Kyllinga, from my neighbor's yard. I understand this stuff is difficult to control. Do you have any suggestions? I live in southern Delaware, Dagsboro to be exact.

Answer: Green Kyllinga is indeed difficult, but not impossible, to control. This weed has become much more prevalent recently, especially in damp places. Green Kyllinga is problematic from Southern New England to Florida and as far west as Kansas and Texas. This weed is more problematic in warmer climates.

Green Kyllinga is a perennial sedge that also spreads by seeds. It is sometimes confused with Nutsedge. However, Green Kyllinga does not make tubers (nuts). It is also distinguished by three pendulous leaf blades hanging from the base of the seedhead. Additionally Green Kyllinga smells sweet and minty when it is freshly mowed.

Green Kyllinga can be controlled by spraying with Manage (now sold as Sedge Hammer) as soon as the new growth begins. Several applications will be needed. The seedlings can be controlled by preventing germination with a double application of Dimension Crabgrass Preventer every eight weeks from early March to early October.

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