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September 30, 2006
I have several knock out roses planted in the front of my home. They are about three feet tall and have beautiful blooms right now. I hate to cut them back but is this something I should do this fall? Can they be transplanted in fall or spring?
Knock out roses are beautiful, aren't they!
Let me share some information about pruning these roses that I read in a past Johnson County Extension newsletter:
- Knock out roses should be thought of more as a shrub than a typical rose bush. This variety of rose will produce a 4-5 foot by 3 foot shrub. If you prefer it larger in size, little or no pruning is needed. Every few years, you may wish to prune it back about 1 foot. This will rejuvenate the plant and keep it bushy from top to bottom. If, however, the shrub overpowers an area with its vigorous growth, you may want to keep it shorter. If this is the case, prune the plant hard every year. Do this in the early spring while the plant is still dormant. The height can also be reduced during the summer by spot-pruning the tallest canes from time to time. This type of pruning may delay blooming, but will keep the size in check.
As far as transplanting, roses are best transplanted in late winter or early spring, when they are just coming out of winter dormancy. Transplant shock is less at that time.