I have several but only 1has any size to it. Is there a dwarf variety? Maybe that's what I purchased in error.

I don't know of any dwarf Knock Out roses but Drift roses are said to be very disease resistant could you have those mixed up, the Drift roses are said to be small. My Knock Out roses have been in my yard for three or four years now, but because they are so easy to prune I have been able to keep them small, plus they just don't seem to have wanted to get huge. I know that could change as the plants mature, but so far mine have been just what I wanted them to be.

There's no "Knock Out" dwarf --yet-- but I have run across people who use the term Knock Out as if it were a generic term identifying any red rose, or any shrub rose. It's really really possible the people at the store had signs mixed up.
How far north are you? I know for sure they don't get as big further north. Maybe 3' tall, where down in Louisiana I saw 8' monsters. They get to about 4' where I am in Kansas. How big are yours?

I live in Shreveport, LA, which is north Louisiana. Lots of hot, dry, weather. I don't have the best sun in my yard, too many trees. Other knockouts in my neighborhood are really big and bushy but mine are not. When I purchased them the signs said they were knockouts. Otherwise they are nice plants, just don't have the size or all season blooming that I wanted. Maybe this year will be better as I have had several trees cut down so more sun. Thanks for your help.

Oh you're in rose heaven!
Roses grow so well in Shreveport that our Rose Society drove down there to see them! My best guess on your rose is that it didn't like any root competition with the trees, or shade. So you are definitely on the right track with removing the trees so the roses get the sun. Lucky you, your area has some fabulous nurseries.

The more sun you speak of is the key I believe! Just be sure to keep the roots cool. Despite the so called claims that they're bred to be heat tolerant, they will droop during the hottest parts of the day if their roots get warm. We've got two knock-outs and we've managed to keep them about 2-3 feet tall. very easy to prune back hard if they start getting too big for their spot- they don't seem to mind either way. im sure they could be much bigger if we let them go. also, you may try using alfalfa meal as a frequent fertilizer. work in two cups of it into the surrounding soil of the plant. try to work it in as deep ass possible without doing major damage to the roots. 2 cups may seem like a lot, but this stuff WORKS WONDERS when in comes to promoting blooms!! we use it on our tea roses as well. just continue to work it into the soil until the entire two cups is evenly incorporated. do it every six weeks and you'll darn near have continuous blooming all summer!

I just put alfalfa meal on my list to purchase. Many thanks.

donnareed7

If you can't find Alfalfa meal in your area, alfalfa pellets will also work. No one around here ever seems to have the meal, I have not yet figured out why. Maybe it makes better animal food in the pellet form.

the meal can be cheaply bought online. ive also heard some of the pellets have "additives" because its also used for livestock feed. something about the waxy coating that's used in the compression of the meal into pellets...? not really sure...? never used the pellets since the meal is readily available in my area. we use it on everything that has showy flowers; clematis, day lilies, roses, dahlias. it does tend to be a little alkaline, so ive heard its not recommended for acid loving plants.

The alfalfa pellets that are sold as food for rabbits should be avoided because they contain salt.

The ones sold as livestock feed only claim Alfalfa on their ingredient label. I know people around here buy them from the feed store for their plants often.

I buy the ones sold as livestock feed in 50-pound bags.