Knock Out Rose Winterizing: Cones vs. Natural Hardening

Knock Out Rose Winterizing: Cones vs. Natural Hardening

In Zone 5a, Knock Outs (hardy to Zone 4) should be treated as hardy roses.

Best Practice

• Mound soil/compost/mulch around base.
• No fertilizer after mid-August for natural hardening.

If Using Cones

• Wait until leaves drop after hard frosts (frozen soil).
• Cut canes to fit cone.
• Spring: remove cones days, replace nights for a week after last hard frost.

Why Natural Is Better

Cones can create greenhouse effect, forcing tender growth that winter kills.