Knock Out roses are fairly new to American gardens. Rose grower William Radler bred Knock Out roses in 1989 and Star Roses and Plants introduced them to the United States in 2000. Knock Out roses are unique in their dense bush of pinkish-red flowers. Radler once called them, “an exceptionally aesthetic breed.”
If you’re sporting a bright wall of Knock Out roses in Wilmington NC, you will want to keep them well-pruned. Vinedresser Lawn and Landscape is happy to walk you through the process or come out to your house and prune them for you.
What You Need to Prune Knock Roses
Pruning Knock Out roses is somewhat of a tedious task. To get the job done right, you will want to give attention to the small details which require a couple of different tools. Of course, hedge trimmers work well enough if you are trying to get the job done fast, but you may miss out on some of those finer details. Here is a general list of everything you need to prune Knock Out roses in Wilmington NC:
- Sharp by-pass hand pruners are a must when you are pruning, as they cause very minimal damage to the stem by creating a clean cut.
- Leather gloves and long sleeves will protect you from thorns and unexpected punctures.
- Loppers will come in handy when you are pruning the larger canes.
- Small hand shears will aid in pruning the small canes.
- Trash bags to dispose of all your Knock Out rose trimmings.
Best Time to Prune Knock Out Roses
Experts say that Knock Out roses should receive at least two major prunings every year to achieve ultimate bloom. The first and more intense pruning will take place in late winter with a second, more mild pruning in late summer.
In late winter you will remove at least half the height of your Knock Out rose bush. Be cautious not to go shorter than two feet from the ground. This hard prune will prepare your Knock Out roses for the early summer blooming season.
At the end of August or early September, you will perform a second, light pruning. This time, don’t take off as much height as you did in the winter. Instead, remove about a third of your Knock Out roses.
5 Steps to Pruning Your Knock Out Roses
1. Cut back leaves
This is where the use of hedge trimmers may be appealing. Cut back all of the leaves on your Knock Out roses until you can clearly see all the canes, also known as stems.
2. Remove dead pieces
For reference, brown flowers are dead and green ones are living. Cut into your rose bush and remove any dead wood by cutting back to the base.
3. Open the center of the rose
Remove any crossing branches that are rubbing against the roses. The goal is to have an open structure in a vase-like shape.
4. Remove the thin growth
Anything thinner than a pencil can be cut out of the Knock Out rose bush.
5. Prune the remaining canes
Trim what is left of the bush and keep in mind Knock Out roses can about triple in size as they grow. You will want to keep the bush rather trimmed back if you are looking to maintain its size.
In conclusion, Knock Out roses are a great addition to your flower beds. They add color and volume to any landscape. Due to their large size and thorns, you may not want to prune these bushes on your own. Contact Vinedresser Lawn and Landscape today and ask about shrub and tree pruning services in Wilmington NC and surrounding areas.