Winter Care of Knock Out Rose Trees

Caring for Knock Out rose trees in the winter will promote healthy blooms in the spring.

Knock Out rose trees add beauty and charm to a landscaped yard or flower bed. Even though Knock Out roses require little maintainence, some care is necessary before and during the winter months in order to promote healthy growth in the spring. They need protection from the cold winter, especially if it snows in your area. Taking the proper precautions before it turns cold will result in a long life for your Knock Out rose tree.

Things You'll Need

• Rose snippers
• Gardening gloves
• Pine straw
• Burlap covers
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Deadhead any remaining blooms in the late fall once the Knock Out rose tree has stopped blooming. Throw away dead blooms immediately instead of letting them fall to the ground, since that can promote disease around the tree.

2. Cover the entire area around the Knock Out rose tree with a 1-foot layer of pine straw or pine bark to keep the ground and roots warm. BlueGrass Gardens advises gardeners not mulch before mid-November because roses need cool temperatures to develop some winter hardiness.

3. Cover the entire rose tree with burlap if you are expecting snow. Move any Knock Out rose trees that are in containers inside to the garage, basement or shed. The containers do not provide much protection against the winter weather.

4. Prune Knock Out rose trees in the beginning of spring to a height of 12 inches to promote new growth.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not water or fertilize Knock Out rose trees during the winter months. Begin in the early spring after you have pruned the tree.

References

• Bluegrass Gardens: Mulching Roses