Yes, it is a favorite of mine. Cheerful, exuberant, dependable......just beware of being shunned if you praise Double Pink Knock Out where it is held at arm's length.

Moses

Artist, it has become available here this year, and I'll definitely replace a rose that doesn't perform well with it. Trish

Artist,

I like your Prunella. When I grew perennials, it was much appreciated for its carefree nature, blooming all season long with just minimal care, and in particular its ease of dead heading with just garden scissors. What variety is that Prunella? Have you tried it in pink or white? They're nice, too.

Moses.

Trish, please give Double Pink Knock Out a try at your most fortuitous opportunity. You will be glad you did. In the USA it is planted so much as a landscape bush that it and all the other Knock Outs in the line are held in derision by rose snobs. The red version is just as nice, also. Make sure it they are the double Knock Out versions, not the original semi-double versions which are called simply Knock Out (for the original red version) or Pink Knock Out.

If you can find Orange Glow Knock Out, grab it! It's flower form is like Double Pink Knock Out, but a bit more refined, not quilling with bloom age as much as the Double Red and Double Pink do, but otherwise their bush habit is identical.

Many of the other Knock Outs seem to lack a good bloom form, just mediocre, but not the above.

Moses.

@titian1 10b Sydney

You did not have KO-s in Australia so far? I am curious how they would perform there compared to the US. I hope you enjoy it.

@Moses, Pitt PA, cold W & hot-humid S, z6

I'm not worried about shunning :), I like what I like. I am a 'people' snob, the accurate kind! (lol) - just never rosarians because those are the best :). And let me tell ya, that gets a looot worse than any rose snob could ever be. The former has much thicker skin too. lol

Anyways, humor aside, are you referring to the blue plant? I had no idea it was called Prunella. I thought it was a different salvia/sage variety. I got them at Home Depot. I love that intense cobalt blue color, it goes well with the bright pink.

I have not tried the other colors but I am on a mission to limit my color palette, especially in the front yard. I must stick with hot reds/pinks, blues and whites - nothing else. I especially need to eliminate any yellow. I have my Good as Gold in the area and until I move it, I just snip any bloom and bring it inside. It has decent vase life too so might as well. Now if only those yellow pansies left from winter could be done but they are still blooming their heads off.

I'm afraid I do need a bit of color bullying from a few competent color snobs to keep me in line. lol

Have any of you tried the Blushing knockout? I saw it in online pictures and I really liked it.

I used the double red on a North Wall before at my old house and it performed great in such difficult location (maybe 4 hours)

Blushing Knock Out, Dianela, is also one of my favorites. The cupped semi-double blooms are held very beautifully, a refinement not expected from a Knock Out. I do not grow it, but much admired it where it grew for some years at a neighboring community's residence, right in front of the house.

The height here in Pittsburgh area is 3' x 3.5' per bush a little spreading. Its form is airy growth, not dense, nor tailored, but not sloppy nor leggy.

Moses

Artist,

The white Prunella really pops! I believe Prunella is a Salvia relative. It's a work horse, blooming all summer long if watered/fertilized/dead headed. Few perennials do this. Some have a long blooming season, but few repeat on new growth all summer long. Prunella has a few improved named cultivars, especially the blue colored ones. The 'Loveliness' line of Prunellas been long established, the other improved ones, recent introductions.

What I also like about Prunella is the name associated with elderly, mannerly gardeners who have 'prunish,' personalities, respectful, but grumpy. Makes me get a quiet chuckle saying 'Prunella'.

Moses.

I would have never thought of Prunella's name this way. :) Either way, gardeners have pure personalities. Some may be a bit 'grumpy' but that's probably because being in nature reminds one of all the, um ... human limitations,. Maybe gardeners may be predisposed to a touch of misanthropy, regardless of age. Who knows? :)

On a related note: I AM SO UPSET!

I just came back from a walk in the subdivision and I saw two KO-s with RRD at the mailbox. The owners most likely have no clue about this. The first thing that came to mind was to write a note tomorrow, drop it in their mail box and suggest they take them out asap. I don't know these neighbors and Lords know if they will take them out.

I knew RRD is in my area, I had some too most likely, but I took those out at the very first sign. I feel so helpless not being able to do anything about it to prevent another infection.

:(((((((

@Moses, Pitt PA, cold W & hot-humid S, z6

I tried to find a picture of the Orange Glow at maturity with full coverage and could not find anything convincing. I love the color but I am not sure about the form.

If you can point me to any good pictures of KO /OG, I would appreciate it.

Artist the Orange glow seems to be the newer addition to their collection so ypu probably wont find pictures of very large ones yet