Rose Guide
How to Prune Knock Out Roses
Cut Knock Out roses back by about one-third in late winter or early spring. They are forgiving, so you don't need to prune to a precise bud — the goal is simply a rounded, refreshed plant.
Knock Out roses are among the easiest roses to prune because they bloom on new wood and recover from almost any cut. Once a year, in late winter or early spring before new growth surges, reduce the whole plant by roughly a third of its size.
Remove any dead or crossing canes, then shape the rest into a rounded outline. Every few years, take one or two of the oldest, thickest canes right down to the base to encourage fresh vigorous growth. That is all most Knock Outs ever need.