How do I Care for Knock Out Roses in the Winter?
- 1). Stop fertilizing in mid-August to encourage the Knock Out rose to become dormant.
- 2). Leave all flowers in place after the first of October. While Knock Out roses do not require deadheading, many gardeners remove the faded flowers to improve the appearance of the plant, which in turn promotes new growth. Early October is also the time to stop clipping these beauties for cut flower arrangements.
- 3). Prune the canes back once night time temperatures are regularly below freezing. Cut long canes back to half their size and short canes back by one-third.
- 4). Place a 10- to 12-inch mound of soil around the base of the Knock Out rose. Do not dig the soil for the mound from around the rose bush, as this could damage the roots.
- 5). Press the mound down firmly with the back of the shovel. Cover with a 4- to 5-inch layer of pine needles or straw.
- 6). Remove the mulch and soil mound in early spring, after the danger of a hard freeze has passed.
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