Pruning Knockout Roses

Gary Bachman: One of the hardest chores in the garden is pruning that beautiful knockout rosebush, today on Southern Gardening.

Narrator: Southern Gardening with Gary Bachman is produced by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Gary Bachman: Now, pruning roses is actually very easy. It's getting over the feeling that it's necessary that's the hard part, but let's face it, an overgrown knockout rosebush is not the most attractive plant in the garden. Get out the pruners and let's get started. Always protect yourself from pruning roses. Heavy duty leather gloves are a must along with long sleeves are your best bet for keeping those pesky thorns at bay. Always use bypass pruners because they will produce the best and cleanest cut like a pair of scissors cutting paper. Anvil pruners, while less expensive, do a great deal of damage by literally crushing the stem of the rose. The crushed stems are not attractive and can let disease organisms into the plant.

Gary Bachman: Knockout roses, a popular Mississippi medallion winner, need to be pruned early each spring. The first order of business is removing any dead or winter damage canes, Remove these close to the base of the plant. Prune the remaining canes up to 50%, maintaining the desired shape and size of the shrub as you prune. Cutting the canes at a 45 degree angle facing out will eliminate the canes holding water. This pruning will stimulate vigorous growth this spring and the abundant flowering knockouts are known for. Later this summer when the rosebushes are starting to look a little tired, prune back about a third. The resulting flush of growth will be a sign that a display of flowers will bring enjoyment to the fall garden season. I'm horticulturist, Gary Bachman, for Southern Gardening.

Narrator: Southern Gardening with Gary Bachman is produced by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.