Not a gardener but have a question (Double Knock Out)

fauxshelley

I have some double knock out roses in my flower bed which were planted last May.  They looked great and had tons of blooms until the first frost.  They are really big now, and someone told me to cut them back in February.  How short should I cut them? 

 

laddiebug

Yes, now is a good time to prune. A good signal to prune is when forsythia blooms. Forsythia is a rather bushy yellow blooming plant here in the south. When you prune be sure you have good sharp tools and gloves to protect your hands.

Cut off any suckers. Suckers are twiggy growth that is located at the base of the plant. They tend to consume resources that would be better used for buds. Also, remove branches that are rubbing against another branch.

When you go to prune the main part of the plant, do not cut the main stem. Rather go in to open the plant up for better air circulation. Cuts should be made about a 1/4 inch above a bud at a 45 degree angle. Leave about 6 canes and cut them down to about 2-3" tall.

Here's an example of good and bad cuts. I left the picture big so you can actually see it.

 

Here's a good guide to refer back to if you need it. LINK

fauxshelley

Thank you!

laddiebug

You're very welcome dear. I'm quite the fan of the knockout series.