[bigbill]

Can someone recommend a good fertilizer for both these plants and where it can be bought.

[nussbaum]

I use Bayer 3 way rose and flower care. It comes in granule and liquid concentrate @ Home Depot. It also protects the plants from disease and insects. Also check with local nurseries such as Fairfield Farms on SR 301 as they also recommended a professional brand that I can't remember the name of, but I have been very satisfied with Bayer for many years.

[Uptown Girl]

I vote for Bayer 3-in 1 as well. It is a product line that was developed in Glenview, Illinois.
I especially like that one application lasts a month. One dosage in a bucket of water, pour it around the base of the roses and you're done.

[Midge538]

Do the KO Roses needed to be trimmed at any time?

[Uptown Girl]

Hi Midge,
In regards to KO roses, I was taught to:

Prune oddball dead branches or broken stuff anytime.
Prune to size them, only if needed, early in the season ( although that may delay flowering a bit.)
Deadhead if you like them tidy.... but not necessary for continued bloom.
And, don't deadhead or cut back at the end of season, so they winter better.

Sometimes I defoliate the bottom of the shrub, up to about 4" off the ground.
That helps avoid wetness/humidity related problems, like powdery mildew, or blackspot.
And..... I treated myself to a pair of long length rose gloves. Saves your arms!

[Ohiogirl]

says to cut back all roses pretty severely around Feb. 14th. Guy who enters rose shows says he does his a little earlier because of the show dates, but for the general gardener, Feb. 14th is right on.

That said, my neighbor's knockout roses look better than mine (but she's there all year), and she doesn't cut hers back.