Does the Knock Out Rose Radrazz Have Fall Color?

The Radrazz Knock Out Rose

• Marketed in the United States as the original Knock Out rose, Radrazz was bred in 1999 by rosarian Bill Radner and introduced to U.S. gardeners in 2000. Disease resistant and self cleaning, Radrazz has small clusters of cherry red flowers, borne in repeated waves throughout the summer and fall. The plant grows 3 to 4 feet all and wide, although if unpruned or grown in areas with very long growing seasons, the plant can reach up to 6 feet. Like all Knock Out roses, Radrazz does best in six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily, but can tolerate some light shade, especially in the afternoon. Radrazz is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture planting zones 5 through 11.

Summer Foliage

• Radrazz has clean, fresh-looking foliage, with strong resistance to black spot disease. Summer foliage color is a strong dark green that sets off the red flowers. The foliage is rarely bothered with insects and doesn't drop it's foliage during hot weather or drought, as do many other roses.

Fall Foliage

• In the fall, the foliage on Radrazz turns deep burgundy-purple. The color becomes more pronounced as night-time temperatures get cooler. The purple coloration is more intense in plants grown in full sun and less so in those sited in partial shade. Radrazz foliage will drop cleanly from the plant after the first hard frost. As with all roses, it's good gardening practice to clean up dropped petals and foliage in the fall.

An Added Bonus

• In addition to the lovely purple fall foliage, Radrazz forms bright orange-red seed heads, called rose hips, when the last of the fall blooms fade. Rose hips can be left on the plant for winter interest, included in winter arrangements or used to make jelly if the plant hasn't been sprayed with chemicals.