Comment

Comment by Donna Wright on October 21, 2009 at 12:16pm

I don't know how close you put your knock-outs together but if you think they are too close you can move them anytime now that the weather is cooler. I would cut them back to about 24" off the ground before you move them and then they should be fine come spring. We have had two frost this week and my knock-out didn't even blink, they are loaded with buds so I am hoping we will get some warm days so they will bloom. This is such an early frost for us, usually we get our first frost in Nov. instead of Oct.

Comment by Mary Washburn on October 21, 2009 at 11:19am

Thanks Sharon! I have planeted the ferns. I am so excited. I hope they all do well. I am not sure about where I put them but I have a few wooded areas and I have put them there and took your advise on putting some behind Hostas. Most places I put the get filtered sun. I am putting alot of things in the ground hoping to be able to move them to other areas as I develop more gardens. I may have planted some of my knock-outs too close together. Should I wait until the first frost to move them or move them now?

Comment by Donna Wright on October 12, 2009 at 10:40am

I love ferns also, ostrich ferns really get big and beautiful. I would plant them in a damp area where they get some sun but not full burning afternoon sun. Since they can get 4 to 6 feet tall they would be a lovely background for some lower growing plants like hostas. They also will spread so give them a place where they can take off. As far as the knock-out roses, I would move them to a sheltered place over winter because the soil will get colder than if they were in the ground and they really aren't that attractive in the winter anyway.

Comment by Mary Washburn on October 12, 2009 at 7:57am

Thanks I will wait until the first frost to cut them back. Have you ever seen ostrich ferns? I just got 18...I may have over done that one a bit! I love ferns now to find a place to put them. I have some knock out roses in pots on my deck on the water. They are out in the open and will get a lot of wind. Should I move them to a more sheltered place?

Comment by Donna Wright on October 6, 2009 at 2:50pm

Cut them back after the first frost, I would cut them back about to about 2 feet off the ground and cut out any dead canes or ones that look crowded. Be sure to clean up all the old leaves and mulch under the rose bushes and put in about 3 inches of fresh mulch. This will cut down any fungus or disease that might be living in the leaves and old mulch.

Comment by Mary Washburn on October 6, 2009 at 2:07pm

Sorry I am just now getting back with you. I live in central Alabama, Talladega, zone 8. We will probably get a frost next month. It is cooler than normal here. Thanks, I will try the Bayer's. I have a lot of Knock-oout roses so I should not cut any of them back until when?

Comment by Donna Wright on September 28, 2009 at 5:39pm

Where are you located? It might be better to wait if you are going to get a frost in the next month. I do cut out the leggy ones during the year and if I get some extra time I will trim the old blooms off but you actually aren't supposed to have to do that. I think the best thing I do is use Bayer's 2 in 1 Systemic Rose and Flower Care ready to use Granules. The Roses are so happy and you can actually use this product on lots of other flowers, what I really like about it is that it kills and prevents spider mites and leaf miners. It is a great product and I have used it for years and years.

Comment by Mary Washburn on September 28, 2009 at 3:43pm

I have knock-out roses everywhere. But around my mailbox they don't look full and "happy" . They get plenty of sun, good soil but look leggy. Should I cut them back?