Winter Care of Knockout Rose Trees

A rose tree needs special winter care.

A knockout rose tree will add a bold statement to your garden. Rose trees are not technically “trees,” but two rose varieties grafted together. One variety creates a long slender cane serving as the “trunk” and a second variety provides the burst of flowers and foliage at the top. Staking is necessary to support the “tree,” particularly in windy areas. The knockout variety of rose tree will provide beautiful, disease-resistant blooms from spring to fall with no deadheading.

Things You'll Need

• Knockout rose tree
• Pruning shears
• Bamboo stake
• Twine
• Chicken wire
• Mulch
• Small sandbags

Instructions

1. Prune the flowering top of the tree to make sure the weight of the top flowering canes is evenly distributed.

2. Securely attach a bamboo stake to the central cane of the rose tree with twine.

3. Create a well around the central cane with chicken wire. The well should allow 6 inches of space surrounding the cane and encompass the entire height of the central cane.

4. Secure the chicken wire stability by bending the wire at the ground and placing small sandbags on the wire.

5. Pack the well with mulch.

References

• Improve Your Garden Soil: Care of Rose Trees
• Fast-Growing Trees: Double Knockout Rose Trees