Can I cut back my roses in winter?
by
Babette
+3
We have a lot of rose bushes that were getting very over-grown and untidy, but let them go in the fall. Now it is January (and sunny, no snow) and they are so bare (and for the most part, thornless, hooray) we are wondering if it is okay to cut them back at this time? They are all "knockout" rose bushes, by the way.
Suggested Project Book
Nope, wait. If you prune now and get hit with snow, the plant will not have had time to harden off and it might die. Better to wait until late winter to early spring.
https://www.knockoutroses.com/pruning/
https://www.southernliving.com/garden/grumpy-gardener/pruning-knock-out-rose-when-why-and-how
https://m.wikihow.com/Prune-Knockout-Roses
Trim and deadhead them during the growing season to promote new growth and more blooms.
Wait until late winter (late Feb.) if you're in zone 6.
I always trim in February and have never experienced issues.
I've been told it's best to wait until early Spring, watch for bud sprouts, then trim off all dead branches and finally also trim off other branches to shape and thin out tangles in your rose bushes
Knock out roses are strong roses but I would wait until late February to trim them.
I'm attaching a helpful article on Knock out roses.
https://www.gardenupgreen.com/2017/08/easy-growing-knock-out-roses.html
Okay, dear friends - Late February (or so) it is! I have put it on my big kitchen calendar and will exercise restraint until then! :) Thank you very much for all the common-sense replies of your wealth of personal experience. Much appreciated! :)