AboutTom Alonzo Expertise I have been a gardener for 20 years with perennials both growing from seed and from nurseries. I went through the Master Gardener Program from Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service and I answered questions on the Hotline a few years ago for the Wyandotte County Kansas Extension Service. I have also lived in the Florida, California, Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Kansas and Missouri and am experienced with a variety of climates, soils and weather conditions.
Experience I have been growing perennials for over 20 years now. I am self-taught mostly except for a master gardener class. I have experimented with all kinds of perennials including many that are not common to my area. I have read hundreds of books and grown hundreds of varieties of plants and hope to make it a business some day. I have become versed in botanical names and growing conditions and what I don't know off of the top of my head I can usually easily find in my vast array of research material and botanical and horticultural contacts. I especially enjoy experimenting with growing plants out of zone.
Question I planted a new double knockout rose bush this year and the leaves are turning a burgundy color. Is this normal?
Answer Hi David,
Thanx for your question. Normally, the Knockout Rose foliage is a purplish-green or various shades in between anyway. Along about mid-Summer the foliage will get darker until it is completely burgundy in the fall. If you've had some cool weather, this may have prompted the rose foliage to start changing. It is nearly mid-summer for most of us anyway. I hope this helps.
Tom
