West Grove, PA — Ten years since the last Knock Out® Rose introduction, Star® Roses and Plants is excited to announce three new color additions to The Knock Out® Family of Roses—The White Knock Out® Rose, The Coral Knock Out® Rose and The Peachy Knock Out® Rose.
“The standards for a Knock Out Rose are extremely rigorous, so it’s not often a potential introduction is even considered,” says Jacques Ferare, rose program director at Star Roses and Plants. “We’re thrilled to bring three colors to the series that growers, retailers and consumers have been waiting for.”
White Knock Out® is an excellent shrub rose that stands out in the landscape with the contrast between pure white blooms and very dark green foliage. It blooms from spring through fall and maintains a compact habit. It has a very slight citrusy fragrance.
Coral Knock Out® offers a new color addition to the Knock Out Family of Roses. The unique coral color is even stronger in hot humid climates. It blooms from spring through fall and maintains an upright to rounded habit. Young foliage is bronze red, which accentuates the bold flower color.
Peachy Knock Out® blooms from spring through fall with attractive pink flowers. The overall color effect is peach with the combination of pink petals that become yellow in the center. The color will be much more intense with the cooler temperature in the spring and fall. The color can fade to blush with the onset of heat and humidity.
Two of these Knock Out Roses are unique though, explains Steve Hutton, president of Star Roses and Plants.
“The White Knock Out Rose lives up to the standards of other members in The Knock Out Family of Roses, in that it performs like a Knock Out in all regions. Unlike other members of the family, Coral Knock Out and Peachy Knock Out are regional Knock Outs,” he says. “During the selection process, these two cultivars performed at the level of a Knock Out in specific geographical regions.”
Coral Knock Out reaches the level of a Knock Out Rose in the Southern states and some Midwest states while Peachy Knock Out is a true Knock Out Rose in the Northeast quadrant to Illinois and Minnesota. These two varieties will only be available for sales into those regions. The White Knock Out Rose will be available for sales throughout the country.
“Roses are not unlike other plants, in that they are regional,” adds Hutton.
White Knock Out, Coral Knock Out and Peachy Knock Out are available now to growers. They will be displayed at the Star Roses and Plants display during 2017 California Spring Trials from April 1-5 at the Ball Horticultural Company site at 335 South Briggs Road Santa Paula, CA 93060.
From the Peace rose to the revolutionary Knock Out® and Drift® roses, Star® Roses and Plants is a leading genetics company involved directly in breeding roses, perennials and woody plants, and introducing plants from other breeders around the world. Star® Roses and Plants is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ball Horticultural Company. For more information, please visit www.starrosesandplants.com.
Source: Star Roses & Plants
