Fall Pruning of Knock Out Roses: Light Tidy-Up Only

What to Do (and Not Do) with Knock Out Roses in Autumn

Fall is fine for light grooming of Knock Out® roses: remove spent flower clusters, trim long canes, cut out dead wood. But don't hard-prune now. Major structural pruning waits until late winter (February in the Southeast).

Fall Tasks

• Deadhead spent blooms
• Remove crossing/rubbing canes
• Cut out dead, diseased, or damaged wood
• Lightly shape overly long canes

Benefits

• Cleaner winter appearance
• Reduced wind rock on tall canes
• Easier major pruning in February
• No sacrifice of spring bloom (blooms on new wood)