Southern Homes & Gardens Blog

TKO…what does it mean?

Total knock out. 

TKO’s  are most often referenced with the sport of boxing – when one opponent delivers a single blow so magnificent to the other, it knocks their rival in the ring out cold.  Aside from boxing, we can safely assume that most of you have used the phrase “a total knock out” at least once in your lifetime.  If you have, chances are that most folks around you knew exactly what you meant by it – that you encountered someone or something possessing such powerful attributes,  real ‘wow factor’, that is caused you to  figuratively (or literally) knocked off your feet. 

We’ve been known to deliver TKO’s of our own too…just more of the gardening kind – not so much with jabs or fierce right hooks!  Our version of a TKO definitely packs a punch – but with color and strength instead.  Our TKO’s are a surefire way to garners you the heavy-weight title of ‘wow factor’ among envious neighbors and passers-by.

Meet the SH&G ‘TKO’,  staff favorite and all-time heavyweight champ….

Single-bloom Red variety: Rosa 'Radrazz'

The Knock Out® Rose.

Along with being the toughest bloom on the block, it also means having some serious swagger, real wow factor:

¨      blooms Spring until frost

¨       easy to grow

¨      low maintenance

¨      great disease resistance

Single-bloom Pink: Rosa 'Radcon'Double-bloom Red variety: Rosa 'Radtko'

Who doesn’t love easy, low-maintenance plants?  The Knock Out® Family of roses are the most disease resistant rose on the market. They have stunning flower power with a generous bloom cycle (about every 5-6 weeks) that will continue until the first hard frost.  All of the Knock Out® roses are self-cleaning so there is no need to deadhead either.  We know…it’s almost too good to be true!  Here’s a few more attributes to our favorite TKO for the landscape:

¨      Winter hardy to USDA Zone 5

¨       heat tolerant throughout entire U.S.

¨      Thrives almost anywhere in the U.S.  – winter protection needed in the coldest regions

If unpruned, Knock Out® roses can easily grow to be more than 3-4′ wide  by  3-4′ tall.  They can  fit into any landscape – individually among shrubs / annuals / perennials, in mixed beds & borders, in large groups to create colorful hedges or simply along a foundation to provide a bright border!  There’s nothing this rose can’t do!

Double-bloom Pink variety: Rosa 'Radtkopink'

A Rose is just a Rose….

Well, not quite.  Knock Out® roses come in various colors & varieties – including single-bloom, double-bloom and many different colors too.  Depending on it’s intended planting location and purpose, we’re positive we can help you find the ideal Knock Out® rose for your favorite outdoor space!