Spring Knockout Rose Pruning

Types of Knockout Roses

• Knockout roses are bush roses of single petal varieties. Double knockout roses are fuller and more closely resemble the stem rose. All of the knockout varieties are popular with rose growers due to being easy to care for, and they require little maintenance. These are adored by growers and onlookers alike for their beauty and color variety.

When to Prune

• Spring is the ideal time for light trimming and shaping, although it is recommended that you do not prune knockout roses during the first year after planting. Trimming broken wood can be done anytime during the growing season. Major pruning should be done in late winter or early spring. This will vary according to the region you live in. A good rule to follow is to prune while the bush is dormant or just beginning to show new growth.

How to Prune

• Knockout roses are self-cleaning, meaning you do not have to deadhead. Deadheading is the removal of the spent blooms in order for the plant to re-bloom. This rose variety will re-bloom without deadheading. For major pruning, cut back shoots which are too close to the ground by one-third. The lowest canes and branches can be shortened to about 1 foot long. Cut off all thin twiggy growth while maintaining the natural shape of the bush. All trimming cuts should be at a 45-degree angle and away from the bud.

Severe Cutback

• If you find that your knockout rose bush has become too large and unruly, you can cut the entire bush down to about 1 or 2 feet high in the spring.

Pruning Tools

• Rose pruning requires special clothing, such as a long-sleeve shirt, long pants and heavy leather gloves. For cutting you will need a pair of pruners of decent quality, but they do not need to be fancy or expensive. You will also need a roll of twine for tying the clippings into bundles.