Trimming knock out roses?

Question

Would like to know the correct time of year to trim knock out rose bushes? We have had so much rain in August and September that the bushes are almost overgrown. I thought I had read somewhere not to trim in the fall. Please help?

Answer 1

I usually do a thinning pruning on mine once the cold temps and frosts have sent them towards going dormant for their winters nap. You could also prune them down some in height at this time too if so desired. Then come spring, I wait for them to start pushing out their leaf buds and prune out the dead canes or broken canes and do a shaping pruning.