Knock Out Rose Bushes

Question

My knock out roses still have leaves on from last year. I notice green coming from the canes at the bottom of the bush. Would it be okay to prune them now and what to do with the dry leaves? I live in zone 4 or 5 ?

Answer 1

The old saying is to prune roses with forsythia blooms. With the weather still unsettled where I live, I'm waiting even though I see the same thing on my Knock-Outs. If I see a leaf unfurl, I will prune. Pruning will remove many of the old leaves but I remove what is left on the plant and on the soil. I also noticed I have significant die-back from early severe cold last December. Make sure you prune back to clean white pith that has a thin circle of green just under the bark.