Pruning Knockout Roses in Missouri: Wait Until Spring

Timing Matters

St. Louis, MO: 7 Knockouts (2nd year) got large. Husband wants to prune hard now (late fall) for Christmas lights visibility.

Advice

• Too late for hard pruning. Risk of winter kill on new growth.
• Light trim (few inches) OK.
• Hard prune (12–18″) in early spring to control size for next winter.