Is Now A Good Time To Prune Knockout Roses? How…
Melissa Asked
Is now a good time to prune Knockout roses? How much height should I leave after pruning?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Melissa: Yes, you are correct. The best time to prune your roses is now, late winter/early spring, before new growth begins. Pruning while they are dormant makes them less susceptible to winter injury and other potential problems. As a general rule, it is best not to remove more than one-third of the size of the rose each year. If your roses are older and you need to remove more than this, you can do so during consecutive years. Prune year after year to maintain the size you want. It is fine to prune any broken, diseased, or dead branches off as soon as you notice them, not taking into account the time of year. Pruning can be done to thin, shape, and rejuvenate our flowering shrubs. Thinning is beneficial in terms of removing older wood and allowing for better air circulation as well as light filtration. Remember to put on a thick pair of gloves and use a clean, sharp, and rust-free pair of pruners. Make your cuts flush to the nearest intersecting cane so there are no stubs. Knockout roses are considered low-maintenance and disease-resistant; when they are planted in favorable conditions these shrubs can grow to be 3 to 5 feet tall and wide. They will provide you with many years of prolific blooms.
