Rosa 'Knock Out'
"Rosa" 'Knock Out', (aka RADrazz), is a shrub rose cultivar bred by American rose grower, William Radler in 1989, and introduced into the United States by Star Roses and Plants in 2000. It was named an All-America Rose Selections winner in 2000. History. 'Knock Out' was developed by amateur rose breeder, William Radler in his Milwaukee, Wisconsin basement in 1989. The cultivar was developed from a cross between the floribunda, "Rosa" 'Razzle Dazzle' and shrub rose, "Rosa" 'Carefree Beauty'. Compared to the other new hybrid rose plants in his backyard test garden that year, Radler recalled  that new cultivar was exceptional. "The rose was special, a dense bush full of pinkish-red blooms. No need to prune. Dead flowers just fell off. No need to spray. The rose appeared immune to diseases such as black spot mildew". Radler was able to work with the wholesale nursery, Star Roses and plants, to help develop and test the new rose cultivar. After eight years of testing, Star Roses introduced the new rose into the United States in 2000 under the marketing name of 'Knock Out'. The extremely hardy rose cultivar, was successful that first year, and has become  one of America's top selling roses, 'Knock Out' is also the original rose variety of a large family of 'Knock Out rose varieties. Description. 'Knock Out' is a medium, bushy shrub, 2 to 4 ft (60—121 cm) in height with a 3 to 4 ft (90—120 cm) spread. Blooms are 2—3 in (5—7 cm) in diameter, saucer-shaped, with single to semi-double (5—13) petals. Flowers open from attractive buds, and are a bright cherry red with a white center and green-yellow-stamens. Flowers have a strong, fruity fragrance, and bloom in flushes from spring through fall. 'Knock  Out' is disease resistant and blackspot resistant, but is susceptible to mildew. The shrub has glossy, dark green foliage. New stems and growth are purple. The plant thrives in USDA zone, 4 and warmer.