Sunny Knock Out® Shrub Rose

Rosa 'Sunny'

Knock Out Roses®

Hardy in zones 4-11, thrives in heat and humidity with exceptional disease resistance to black spot and powdery mildew
Cheerful yellow blooms fade to soft cream, creating a beautiful two-tone display from late spring through hard frost
Self-cleaning flowers require absolutely no deadheading while attracting bees and butterflies all season long
Deer resistant and drought tolerant once established, perfect for low-maintenance landscapes and container gardens

$18¹⁵

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Plant Size

Quart Container #1 Container #2 Container #3 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant in a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to ensure the most vibrant yellow blooms and vigorous growth. While it tolerates partial shade, too little sun will reduce flower production and may lead to leggy plants.
Soil: This rose is adaptable to various soil types but thrives best in well-drained, organically rich soil. If you are working with heavy clay or sandy soil, amend it with compost or peat moss to improve texture and drainage.

Watering Requirements

Keep the soil consistently moist during the first growing season to help the roots establish deep into the ground. Once established, the Sunny Knock Out® is drought-tolerant, but regular watering during dry spells will keep the foliage lush and bloom production steady.

Pruning Tips

This shrub blooms on new wood, so the best time to prune is in late winter or very early spring before new growth begins. Simply cut the bush back by about one-third to remove dead wood and shape the plant, which stimulates fresh growth for a heavy flush of flowers.

Fertilizer Needs

Feed your rose with a balanced, slow-release rose fertilizer in early spring just as new leaves start to unfurl. Avoid applying high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the season, as this can encourage tender new growth that is susceptible to damage from winter frosts.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Disease resistant, Flowering, Fragrant, Cold hardy, Drought resistant
Hardiness Zone	5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	3-4 ft
Width	3-4 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Climbing, Spreading, Trailing, Upright
Blooms In	Spring, Summer, Fall
Flower Color	Yellow
Foliage Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Pet Safety	Toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Outdoors, Container
Plant Name	Rose
Botanical Name	Rosa 'Radsunny'
Species	spp.
Cultivar	Radsunny
Class	Magnoliopsida, Rosales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

About Sunny Knock Out® Shrub Rose

Sunny Knock Out® Rose (Rosa 'Radsunny') brings effortless color to your garden with cheerful yellow blooms that fade to soft cream, creating a stunning gradient effect from late spring until the first hard frost. This breakthrough landscape rose combines the carefree reliability of the legendary Knock Out® family with a sunny disposition that brightens borders, foundation plantings, and containers with absolutely no fuss.

Key Features

Continuous Color Without the Work

Each flower opens as a vibrant buttery yellow, then gracefully transitions to a lighter cream shade, giving the plant a beautiful two-tone appearance throughout the season. Blooms measure up to 2.5 inches across with a light, sweet fragrance that carries through the garden. The real magic happens when spent flowers drop cleanly on their own, no deadheading required. This self-cleaning habit means you get months of nonstop blooms without spending weekends snipping off faded flowers.

Disease Resistance That Actually Works

Sunny Knock Out® earned its place in gardens nationwide through exceptional resistance to the diseases that plague traditional roses.

Black spot resistance
Powdery mildew resistance
Rust resistance
Thrives even in humid climates where fungal diseases are common
Glossy green foliage stays clean and healthy all season without weekly fungicide sprays

This is the rose for gardeners who want gorgeous blooms without the chemical maintenance schedule.

Wildlife Magnet

Bees and butterflies visit the abundant blooms throughout the day, making Sunny Knock Out® a pollinator-friendly choice for wildlife gardens. Unlike double-flowered roses where petals hide the pollen, these semi-double blooms offer easy access to nectar and pollen. Deer and rabbits leave the thorny stems alone, so your investment stays protected even in areas with heavy browse pressure.

Heat and Drought Tolerance

Once established, Sunny Knock Out® laughs at summer heat and drought conditions that send traditional roses into decline. The deep root system taps into soil moisture even during dry spells, and the plant continues blooming when others shut down. This makes it an ideal choice for water-wise landscapes, xeriscaping, and gardens where irrigation is limited. In hot, humid climates, the yellow color actually intensifies rather than fading.

Landscape Uses

Perfect for Modern Landscapes

Growing 3-4 feet tall and wide, Sunny Knock Out® fits beautifully in mixed borders alongside perennials and ornamental grasses.

Plant in groups of three or five for mass color impact
Use as a low flowering hedge along walkways
Showcase a single specimen in a decorative container on your patio

The rounded, bushy habit looks polished without constant shaping, and the moderate growth rate means it won't outgrow its space in a single season.

Year-Round Interest

While the flowers steal the show from late spring through fall, Sunny Knock Out® offers additional seasonal interest. In autumn, the foliage develops burgundy-purple tones before dropping, and small orange-red rose hips form on the stems, providing food for birds through winter. The upright branching structure adds architectural interest to the winter garden even after leaves fall.

Growing Requirements

Sunny Knock Out® Rose proves that growing gorgeous roses doesn't require a degree in horticulture or a garage full of sprays and fertilizers. This is the rose that succeeds where others fail, delivering reliable color and effortless beauty in zones 4-11 with minimal care. For seasonal pruning tips and planting advice, see our Knock Out Roses Complete Guide. Whether you're a first-time gardener or a seasoned rose enthusiast looking to simplify your routine, Sunny Knock Out® delivers professional results with beginner-friendly ease.

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Growing Zones 4-11

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones are suitable for Sunny Knock Out® Roses?

Sunny Knock Out® Roses thrive in USDA zones 4-9, handling both cold winters and hot summers with ease. Their exceptional disease resistance makes them particularly reliable in humid southern zones where traditional roses struggle. Plant in spring after your last frost for best establishment.

How tall do Sunny Knock Out® Roses grow at maturity?

Sunny Knock Out® Roses reach 3-4 feet tall and wide at maturity. Their moderate growth rate and naturally rounded habit means they won't outgrow their space quickly. Plant them where they have room to reach full size, available at naturehills.com.

How much sun do Sunny Knock Out® Roses need?

Sunny Knock Out® Roses need full sun, meaning 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for best flowering performance. While they can tolerate some light shade, blooms will be reduced in shadier locations. Plant in your sunniest spot for continuous yellow blooms from late spring through frost.

How often should I water Sunny Knock Out® Roses?

Water deeply once or twice weekly during the growing season, providing about 1 inch total including rainfall. Established Sunny Knock Out® roses are quite drought tolerant once their roots are developed. Water at soil level rather than overhead to keep the disease-resistant foliage dry and healthy.

When should I prune Sunny Knock Out® Roses?

Prune Sunny Knock Out® Roses in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Since this variety maintains its rounded, bushy habit naturally, you only need light pruning to remove dead wood and shape as desired. Shop Nature Hills for healthy plants.

Sunny Knock Out® Shrub Rose

Rosa 'Sunny'