March 10th, 2014

Q:  Is now a good time to prune my Knockout Roses?  How should I do it?

A:  This is certainly the time of year to do it - late winter/early spring, just as buds break dormancy, is when one should prune roses.  But with Knock Outs, pruning should wait until the 2nd season of growth (some say its best to wait until even the 3rd season). Knock Outs are designed to grow vigorously, so prune them down to about two feet below the height you want them to reach during the growing season.

For more information and other suggested resources about pruning Knockout and other roses, check out this article written by Karen Neill & Guilford County Cooperative Extension, http://guilford.ces.ncsu.edu/2013/02/200515/.