Question
We live in Houston, Texas. I am ready to have a small flagstone patio built and want to surround it with knock out roses. The area receives full sun for most of the day.  We have an above-ground sprinkler system that will water this area.  I have heard that roses should be watered from below. Will knock-out roses do well with this kind of watering?

Answer
I wish rose books wouldn't frighten rose gardeners, but they do and not getting water on roses is one of their threats. As every gardener knows, roses, plus all plants, just love rain and always look and grow much better after a downpour. The ideal time to water roses is early enough that the leaves will dry off before sunset. Then you will be sure the leaves are not damp. If you live in an area that has black spot fungal problems, sometimes a damp leaf will encourage it to go. But above watering also washes off the spores so they don't get a hold on the plant. Also roses like a big gulp of water not a lot of little sips, so watering them deeply one day and then let them dry out for a few days is ideal.   Watering your roses from above will also clean the leaves off of any dust which roses also like as this helps the leaves to do their job of making chlorophyl.