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Rainbow Knock Out (Rosa 'Rainbow Knock Out'), whole plant
  • Rainbow Knock Out — close-up of leaves and flowers
  • Rainbow Knock Out — seasonal appearance
  • Rainbow Knock Out in a garden setting

Rainbow Knock Out

Rosa 'Rainbow Knock Out'

Easy · Beginner friendly

About Rainbow Knock Out

Rainbow Knock Out is a unique coral-pink with yellow center version of the original Knock Out, producing clusters of 3-inch single blooms on a compact 3-foot bush. Introduced in 2007, it is the first single-flowered Knock Out and brings pollinator-accessible open blooms with the classic Knock Out disease resistance to American gardens.

  • Disease-resistant
  • Low-maintenance
  • Long-blooming
  • Pollinator-friendly
WATER
Regular
Top inch dry
LIGHT
Full sun
6+ hrs direct
HARDY
Hardy to -20°F (-29°C)
USDA hardiness zones 5–10

How to care for Rainbow Knock Out

Watering

  • Springevery 7 days
  • Summerevery 5 days
  • Fallevery 10 days
  • Winterevery 21 days

Soil · Rich & loamy

  • Top dressingBark mulch15%
  • Main mixRich loam + compost 3:170%
  • DrainageGravel15%

Use fully finished compost — fresh compost burns roots.

FERTILIZER

Balanced Feed 14-14-14

An even feed covers all three needs at once, keeping leaves, roots and blooms moving together with nothing pushed out of balance.

N33%P33%K33%
  • Nitrogen · Leaves
  • Phosphorus · Roots + Blooms
  • Potassium · Strength
  • Springevery 45 days
  • Summerevery 45 days
Get watering reminders for Rainbow Knock Out — free on iPhoneDownload on the App Store

At a Glance

  • NativeNorth America
  • Height3–4 ft (0.9–1.2 m)
  • Spread3–4 ft (0.9–1.2 m)
  • Flower colorPink, Yellow, Coral
  • Foliage colorGreen
  • SoilLoamy, Well-drained, Rich
  • LocationsYard

Bloom time

BLOOM CYCLE

Peak bloom

May–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Self-cleaning, no deadheading required; single blooms feed pollinators

Fragrance

LIGHT FRAGRANCE

The flowers have a light scent.

Toxicity

Humans Slight

Unknown toxic principle

Slight

  • Stem
  • Contact

EXPOSURE Touching stems.

EFFECT Pricks from thorns.

NOTE Not toxic; thorns cause mechanical injury.

Safe

EXPOSURE No exposure route is reported.

EFFECT No toxic effect is reported.

NOTE Listed as non-toxic for dogs; avoid eating ornamental plants unless confirmed edible.

Safe

EXPOSURE No exposure route is reported.

EFFECT No toxic effect is reported.

NOTE Listed as non-toxic for cats; avoid eating ornamental plants unless confirmed edible.

Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

DISTRIBUTION

Rainbow Knock Out · Native
  • Native
  • North America

History

Illustrated historical scene for Rainbow Knock Out

Rosa 'Rainbow Knock Out' is a bicoloured coral-pink and yellow shrub rose released in 2007 by William J. Radler and Conard-Pyle as the fourth major introduction in the Knock Out series after the original red, Double Knock Out, and Pink Knock Out. The single five-petalled blooms open with clear yellow centres and a tuft of golden stamens, the petal tips suffused with deepening coral-pink so each flower resembles a miniature sunset. The series' trademark qualities are preserved: continuous self-cleaning bloom from spring to heavy frost, minimal black spot or powdery mildew without spraying, cold hardiness to zone 5, and a compact rounded plant suitable for small gardens, mass landscape plantings, or containers.

Like other Knock Outs it requires almost no maintenance beyond an early-spring hard pruning. Bred by William Radler and introduced by Conard-Pyle in 2007 as the first single-flowered rose in the Knock Out series.

Brought open flower form and pollinator support to the iconic landscape rose family.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

Rainbow Knock Out offers a colorful welcome, its coral-pink petals and bright yellow eye creating a friendly painted face on every bloom. As the first single-flowered Knock Out, it opens its center generously to bees and other pollinators, earning the meaning of a true pollinator friend. This is the rose for unfussy gardens — easy, sociable, and welcoming to both human visitors and the small creatures that share the border.

  • Colorful welcome — coral-pink with yellow eye
  • Pollinator friend — first single-flowered Knock Out

Where the Name Comes From

Named 'Rainbow' for the coral-pink petals with yellow eye, creating a two-tone rainbow appearance.

Uses & Fun Facts

  • Rainbow Knock Out Rose (Shrub) flowers nourish foraging bees and pollinators

Related plants

More Rosa plants

Plants with similar care

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Rainbow Knock Out?

In summer, water about every 5 days; in winter, about every 21 days. Adjust for heat, pot size and drainage.

How much light does Rainbow Knock Out need?

Full sun: 6+ hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.

Is Rainbow Knock Out toxic to cats or dogs?

Pets Safe (Dogs Safe · Cats Safe) Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

Is Rainbow Knock Out easy to grow?

Yes — it is considered an easy, beginner-friendly plant.

When does Rainbow Knock Out bloom?

It typically blooms May–Sep in the Northern Hemisphere.

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