How to Prune Knock Out Roses After Budding

Knock Out roses were originally bred by rose enthusiast William Radler. Disease-resistant and hardy, they're known to be easy-care, as roses go. These roses come in such colors as red, pink, peach, yellow and white. They're available in single and double-bloom varieties. Some proffer a scent, while others are nearly free of perfume. Knock Out roses requires only a light trim in the spring. The more thorough cutting takes place in the fall.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Clean your pruning shears. Keeping the shears free of bacteria is important to keeping your rose plants healthy.

2. Snip at a 45-degree angle, making clean, neat cuts about 1/4 inch above the bud. Start cutting at the base of the plant. Your objective is to cut away enough branches to allow both light and air to reach the center of the plant.

3. Take off any branches that appear to be dry, shriveled or black, indicating diseased or deadwood that will only rob the plant of energy. If you see branches that are smaller than a pencil in diameter, get rid of those, too.

4. Apply rose food or all-purpose fertilizer in accordance with package instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have problems with cane borers, paint over each cut with a white, liquid drugstore-quality glue.

References

• Bloomin Designs: Pruning Knock Out Roses