Shrub Rose
Rosa
Shrub Rose blooms from May through October.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Shrub Rose
Plant it in full sun. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 4–9. Expect it to reach about 3.9 ft tall and 3.3 ft wide at maturity, in roughly 3 years.
When to plant Shrub Rose
Plant Shrub Rose in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, or in early fall at least six weeks before your first frost, so roots establish in cool weather. For the middle of its hardy zones 4 to 9 range, spring means March to May and fall means August or September. Once settled, it blooms from May to October.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 6 in March.
9 more colors in the Shrub & Landscape Roses family
Same family, similar care - pick the one you are growing.
Good to know about Shrub Rose
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Worth knowing
The whole point of Knock Out roses is black spot resistance. Bred to shrug off the most common rose disease, they work as low-input shrubs needing no fungicide. per NC State and Missouri Botanical
Hardiness zone varies by source
Sources split on cold-hardiness: NC State rates the Knock Out group to zone 4a, while Missouri Botanical lists the original Knock Out more cautiously at zone 5. per NC State and Missouri Botanical
How hard to prune
How hard to prune divides sources: Nebraska takes off half to two-thirds of the height, NC State only light pruning. Both work; do the one-third cane renewal. per Nebraska and NC State
Rose rosette disease, no cure
A mite-borne virus that resistance breeding has not solved. Look for witches' broom of red, distorted, extra-thorny shoots; dig up and destroy the whole plant, roots included. per Clemson and UGA
No deadheading needed
Unlike hybrid teas, these rebloom continuously without deadheading. Removing spent flowers only speeds the next flush, so you can leave them alone: a core low-maintenance trait. per NC State
Safe around pets, but thorny
The ASPCA lists roses as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses, so the only real hazard is the thorns; a genuine plus next to many toxic ornamentals. per ASPCA
Blooms in part shade
Unusual for a rose, these bloom decently in part shade, on as little as 3 hours of direct sun a day, though full sun still gives the most flowers. per NC State
What pairs well with Shrub Rose
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Candytuft
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; opens in mid spring and overlaps into this one's season; lower at 10 in, for the front of the border; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
Snow-in-Summer
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; low at 6 in, to carpet the ground beneath; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; its white flowers settle the pink.
Sea Thrift
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; opens in mid spring and overlaps into this one's season; lower at 8 in, for the front of the border; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
Siberian Squill
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; low at 6 in, to carpet the ground beneath.
Windflower
Takes full sun to part sun and moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; low at 6 in, to carpet the ground beneath.
Hyacinth
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; lower at 10 in, for the front of the border.
Arborvitae
Shares full sun and moderate water; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; taller at 20 ft, for the layer behind it.
Saucer Magnolia
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; taller at 23 ft, for the layer behind it; echoes the pink.
Explore similar plants
You might also like
Design a garden with this
Drop this plant onto a 3D plan, see how it fills in, and watch your whole garden bloom across the year.