Will it hurt to prune back knockout roses a bit, at this time of year?
by
Corinne B
+7
10 answers
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Corinne, you should be fine to prune them back now. For southern/warmer climates, late fall to early winter is the right time.
Dan's of Central Florida, Inc.
on Oct 25, 2011
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I cut mine back about two week ago to about a foot tall, as they had suffered from the summer heat and looking pretty pitiful. They are already leafed and heavy budded back out. I should get a great bloom out of them before the cold weather.
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Oct 25, 2011
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I trim mine way back after the first frost. they come back beautifully in the spring
Harold M
on Oct 25, 2011
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I would not prune them back hard now, but yes just to tidy them up. My mother-in-law who lives in AL lost some of hers because a worker cut them back hard (they were only about 1' tall.
Erica Glasener
on Oct 26, 2011
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Thanks all! They were planted about 6 months ago in a spot that is sunny in the am and shady in pm and I think are still trying to get used to the spot they were planted in. They bloomed nicely, lost a lot of foliage - and have lots of buds - I trimmed back about 3 or 4 inches to out facing buds...new leaves coming out - so I think they will be okay - they just looked soooo bad! Gave them a shot of Hasta Gro and will see how they get thru winter. May have to move them!
Corinne B
on Oct 26, 2011
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Even my 6 year old knockouts suffer in the summer heat...pruned them about 3 weeks ago and they are leafing out, looking great. I topdress the bed with compost too. With our sandy soil, nutrients leach out fast. Also sprayed on Maxicrop.
Karen G
on Oct 26, 2011
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I have over 400 Knock Out Roses planted throughout the garden. As long as you prune to shape and are not too agressive then you will be fine. Be sure to fertilize with rose fertilizer and bone meal and epsom salts. As long as they are fed and watered in you will have flowers at Christmas!
Garden Rebel / Sims Landscaping, Co.
on Oct 27, 2011
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In the Raleigh we have already started pruning knockout roses, so you should be fine. By the way we are getting reports of rose rosette disease in knockout roses in North Carolina. Not a good sign for this popular variety.
Mike and Anne
on Oct 27, 2011
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Knock Outs get pruned back after the first hard freeze - if you are going to prune them. Leave the plants at at least 2 feet in height. They do not have to be cut back but they can get much larger than many people realize. Most gardeners in our area are cutting them back a foot or two in July when it is hot and blooms are not forming as quickly. Keep the center growth near the base of the plant cut out to encourage air circulation through the plant and reduce disease problems.
Mike and Anne
on Oct 28, 2011
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Thanks all, I thought the proper time to prune Knock Out Roses was after the first boolms of spring. Also I appreciate the infor on leaving them about 2 feet high. I only have about 6 but will prune mine today
Carole
on Oct 30, 2011
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