This rose has been marketed in limited supply by Weeks Roses (who does not sell to the public) and now will be marketed on a large scale to the general public by Proven Winners Color Choice.
Home Run Red
Home Run Red is a cross of City of San Francisco and Baby Love, with their offspring then being crossed with the original Knockout Rose. The result is the best of all worlds, The new Home Run Red is a brighter truer red, resists powdery mildew (which the original Knockout did not) and black spot, shrub-like growth habit, quick repeat flowers, first rose to bloom in spring and fragrant buds.
City of San Francisco
Baby Love
The foliage is a deeper glossy green, more compact and hardier than the original Knockout. The growth is spiky at first and with continued growth becomes shrub-like. I was surprised that Home Run can set hips but does not stop flowering.
Original Knockout
The one thing that all rose people will have to remember with this plant, no deadheading recommended! The new buds form right where the spent flower falls off so any deadheading will cut down on the continual flower display.
Home Run Red should be plentiful this year but the pink (a sport of Home Run Red) is still only offered in small pots through online nurseries. If the pink one (which would be my choice) is your desire try these nurseries http://www.shrubsource.com/, http://www.greatgardenplants.com/ and http://www.gardencrossings.com/
These are the websites that were given to me that would possibly be marketing small containers of Home Run Pink. In checking them at this time only Great Garden Plants is carrying Home Run Red. I guess we can check back later to see if they are added to their websites.
Home Run Pink
Check out Mr. Brown Thumb's Blog for another look at Tom Carruth the hybridizer of Home Run. http://mrbrownthumb.blogspot.com/
Sounds as if these are the 'perfect' roses for any garden. Just gorgeous...I'll be keeping my eyes open for them for sure.
ReplyDeleteDarla, I am anxious to try it also. The original Knockout did not do very well in my zone 5, lots of dieback and some never came back. The doubles did better, but I did not like their shape.
ReplyDeleteEileen
It sounds like a very good rose to have in the garden. I like knockouts so this should be a wonderful addition. The pink is so pretty. I am wondering if I would forget and deadhead it though.I am so use to snipping them off. LOL!
ReplyDeleteNice! I've never been a fan of roses (particularly doubles) but that single pink ones is just beautiful...maybe it will be my "'gasp" first rose!
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing this new variety of rose to our attention. Sounds like a "winner"!
ReplyDeleteThose sure are pretty!!
ReplyDeleteLona, I was just thinking of this as he mentioned no deadheading. I deadhead everything so I would need to put a sign on this bush!
ReplyDeleteEileen
Scott, I like the singles also and I am going to look for that Pink Home Run.
ReplyDeleteEileen
Hi Allan,
ReplyDeleteI hope it performs better for me than the original Knockout. Our zones will certainly put it to the test, although they say it is recommended down to zone 4.
Eileen
They sure are meemsync, I'm going to look for some in the spring.
ReplyDeleteEileen
oh - do i love the home run pink!!! i could plant those in my garden this year & test them out for Washington State! wink wink...
ReplyDeleteI know Fishtail, I would love to test them out also. We will be lucky if we can even find them this year. I think they are slated for widespread release in 2012.
ReplyDeleteEileen
Hi Eileen, I like both the pink and the red Home Run roses. It is interesting that you note that they do not benefit from deadheading. I wonder if they will be available up here in Canada? ( I have seen the older Knockouts here)
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI would think they would be available in Canada because the distribution is going to be so widespread. If not, they will be online. I think the pink one is going to be hard to find this year.
Eileen
resists mildew, repeat blooms and bright red and no deadheading--it sounds like a winner to me!
ReplyDeleteHi Zoey, we'll wait and see if it survies one of our summers, Knockout did not do too well this year.
ReplyDeleteEileen
I am anxious to try these little guys. Nice article.
ReplyDeleteHi Claudia, I am anxious to try this one also and see if it is hardier than the original Knockout.
ReplyDeleteEileen
What a wonderful rose, I can't wait to make these an addition to the gardens! I certainly can use the flower power.
ReplyDeleteI will be looking for Home run Pink. The one thing that has stopped me from buying Knockout roses is their lack of fragrance. Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeletethose are wonderful! such pretty colors!!!
ReplyDeleteI love to read Mr. Brownthumbs...he's always a good read!
Eileen: I must get this Home Run Pink one into my garden asap (well kinda') for that Garden Walk.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.......loved it.
Hi Karen,
ReplyDeleteWe can experiment with it this summer.
Eileen
Hi Catherine,
ReplyDeleteThis one supposedly has the fragrance right by the bud.
Eileen
Hi Tootsie, yes Mr. Brown Thumb has a few different blogs, always good information.
ReplyDeleteEileen
Hi Mary Anne,
ReplyDeleteThese would be a great conversation piece for a Garden Walk, especially the pink one.
Eileen
I may have to try petunias again this year is I see Petunia Phantom
ReplyDeleteavailable in my town -- love it!
I'm still so inspired by this man. I may end up growing roses because of him.
ReplyDeleteHello Eileen..I found your blog by way of Catherine of A gardener in Progress, she suggested I come by and take a look after i posted a wish list of roses on my blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting info about the new Knockout roses, I will certainly make a note of it.
Vetsy of Vetsy's View
Hi MBT,
ReplyDeleteHe was very impressive. I grow a lot of Knockouts, some great, some not so great. I am going to put in a couple of the Home Runs, hopefully I can find the pink one!
Eileen
Hi Vetsy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting. It sounds too good to be true, but we will see. I plan on putting a couple in this spring, if I can find them.
Eileen