Pruning Knockout Roses Update - 8 Weeks Later

[@patriciamiller8279]

I've never heard of the geranium suzanne before! I'm definitely going to need to look for some this year. They're beautiful!

[@jennifermillssmith8353]

A woman after my own heart. I love that you treat and keep investigating. So much a part of loving your green space. I am in Zone

[@SRizzo-ez8ih]

Hi Laura, I stumbled upon your channel and I’m so glad for the KZbin algorithm which led me to you. Your videos are full of practical, easy to understand, and proven - proof is in pudding - instructions. Thank you. The great thing is that I am in the same zone as you (central maryland) so I can take much of your advice into my own gardening. Here’s my problem: I have had my knock out roses for about 10 years now and they’ve never looked as great as yours - problems with deer eating the buds before the open, caterpillars destroying the leaves, spindly canes, Japanese beetles eating everything else left on the bush. So this fall I finally accepted that this is one bush that doesn’t love me back and decided we need to part ways for good. So I cut it down to about 2” above ground with the intent of digging it out in the spring and planting encore azaleas in their place. Now that I’ve watched couple of your videos on these roses, I’m having second thoughts. I would love to keep these bushes (but planted elsewhere)…any advice on how to tackle the deer, caterpillar and Japanese problems I mentioned above? The spindly canes I’m hoping it’ll be taken care of if the bushes survive the hard pruning I gave it last month 😊.

[@GardenSanity]

I'm glad you found me too, and I hope we can save your Knock Out Rose bush -- or at least give it one last awesome attempt at doing so! 🌹 I think it's great that you cut it down, and now we wait and see how it grows back. Two inches above ground is a little shorter than I'd like, but it should be ok. In the Spring, once you begin seeing some new leaf buds on the shrub, then you can do two things. 1) remove those spindly stems and anything "dead" that doesn't have any new leaf buds on them. 2) Fertilize with Espoma Rose Tone around the plant and water it in well -- work it into the top of the soil, underneath any mulch so it begins helping the soil and the roots of the Knock Out. As for the Winter season, if the deer like to gnaw on the remaining parts of the rose bush, you might want to wrap it -- not tightly -- in burlap fabric which will deter the deer. I have a problem with rabbits gnawing on the base of the roses. I use Bonide Repels-All granules that I sprinkle around the base of the shrub to deter critters. You can also spray them with something like Liquid Fence or Plant-skydd every so often. Some of these sprays don't work in sub-zero temps, so check labels. I don't have a deer problem -- but -- if I did, I would try some of the repellents I've seen on Amazon for deer. I've seen "clips" that you attach to your shrubs and ornamental trees to deter them from eating, and I've seen repellents that you put into small netted bags and "hang" them on your shrubs/trees to repel deer. The comments are always a mixed-bag of "yes" or "no" on repellents working, but it honestly is a matter of trial and error, unfortunately. So start with all of the above, and let's see how the shrub rebounds in the Spring. I've got my fingers crossed so please keep me posted!

[@arleneshepler9180]

I have 13 knock out rose bushes that are all 5ft tall. I didn't cut them back as much as other years. Loaded with blooms!

[@GardenSanity]

Wow Arlene -- those must be absolutely stunning to see! Are they all in the same area or spread out around your property? I bet it is gorgeous!

[@willaerley7140]

There’s a lot of “rose snobs” who bad mouth the knockouts, but I like them. Beautiful and tough! I wish they all had a scent though, like my yellow one.

[@GardenSanity]

Totally agree with you! I like that I don't have to work very hard to keep these Knockouts looking great. The yellow Knockouts must be very pretty. I read that their color intensity varies with the temperatures. Do you find that's true for you? I bet the scent is wonderful!

[@willaerley7140]

Garden Sanity True. In cooler weather the buds take longer to open giving it more time to saturate the yellow. In the heat it’s more a light cream yellow.

[@GardenSanity]

@@willaerley7140 They sound lovely! I may just have to add a yellow one...if I can find some room somewhere. 🤣

[@yocomment4707]

Wow i been following you when u did this pruning in march and i was like omg she cut them so Short i dont know if i want to risk it like her, but i see they look amazing and so healthy now, i will be doing that next summer. Thank you for these videos there isn’t that many knock out videos that are worth watching and your was a success.

[@GardenSanity]

Thanks so much! Yes, I wanted to make a series of Knockout videos since I couldn’t originally find many that were truly helpful AND honest about what problems can arise. Thanks for your feedback. I really appreciate it! 🌹

[@KingCobraMadnezz]

Thank you for sharing this! This is exactly what I've been looking for. Thanks to you, I now know how to care for my knockouts :)

[@GardenSanity]

You’re most welcome! I’m so glad to read this! Enjoy your Knockouts! 🌹

[@QueenGail]

👍🏾 You are such a blessing Thank you 😊

[@SilverPennyTN]

I am so glad I came across your channel! I have a bed I specifically want red double knockout roses just like your have yours! I have liked and subscribed.

[@AfternooninConnecticut]

Just bought 8 of these! Thanks for the info!

[@GardenSanity]

That's fantastic! I hope you enjoy them and please keep me posted! 🌹

[@truthofthematter9409]

Thank you, thank you, thank you

[@GardenSanity]

You're welcome x 3! 🌹🌹🌹

[@J33-k3s]

Your roses are gorgeous!

[@GardenSanity]

Why thank you! 🌹

[@truthofthematter9409]

Can you please do a video on what to do if you suspect Rosette Disease or other pests and viruses they may get? Your landscape is gorgeous!

[@GardenSanity]

I have a feeling that's coming up, because I'm starting to think I have that disease on the one shrub I showed in the foundation bed. 😬 If it is, then I'm going to remove the entire shrub unfortunately. I don't want to take a chance on it spreading. Stay tuned! Great idea, by the way! I'll include pests too. (Adding to my video to-do list!)

[@truthofthematter9409]

@@GardenSanity My knockout is acting up a bit also! Not sure if it's Rosette or something else or..... I'll remove mine also if it is

[@GardenSanity]

So frustrating!

[@truthofthematter9409]

@@GardenSanity It really is. I swore I'd never have roses again after I bought a property that had some really not pretty roses all over... I'd guess at least 50 or more. It was not pretty at all they were likely the bare root you get from big box stores. Unsightly. After I sold it and bought this property I was not interested in any roses until my hubby bought me my knockout for my birthday. I've gotten a few drift roses since but I swear if this knockout has a virus I will not buy another! lol

[@GardenSanity]

@@truthofthematter9409 Oooh, those 50+ roses sound like quite a problem. And so many! 🤯I've had luck with these Knockouts, except for this one which I think is going bye-bye. Once I got the hang of deadheading, then I decided the effort is worth it. I also purchased two drift roses recently, can't remember the name off-hand -- they are outside waiting to be planted. They are really pretty and I like the idea of low-growing roses that spread almost like a tall groundcover.

[@claraslate]

Gorgeous!

[@GardenSanity]

Thank you Clara!

[@bellemieux]

Thank you!

[@GardenSanity]

You’re welcome Belle!

[@1967avl]

Just finished watching all of your extremely helpful knockout rose videos - thank you! I just planted 4 red double knockouts in my backyard (late May). Could you please tell me 1) what in your opinion is the optimal fertilizing schedule for them this spring/summer and 2) what is the optimal watering schedule, both after planting and throughout the summer? Appreciate all the wonderful advice on your channel.

[@1967avl]

Oops, I just read through the comments and saw your advice on fertilizing. Would still like advice re watering, because I can never seem to get that right!

[@GardenSanity]

Glad you found all of the knockout rose videos to be helpful! 😊 As for watering, it’s a bit hard to know what to suggest without knowing exactly what your soil is like, what your climate is like, what your current weather is like. For example, this past weekend, we had heat indexes of 107 degrees here in southern New Jersey on Saturday, but today (Monday) it was only 70 degrees. So even that freak short heat wave can affect watering. Roses don’t need the soil to be wet, but they aren’t drought tolerant either, so it can be tricky until you figure out exactly what works for your own roses. The main thing to try and do is to water your knockouts at the base of the plants, rather than all over the shrub. Watering at just the base keeps the leaves dry which really helps cut down on any black spot. Whenever you water, you want to water deeply. It’s actually better to water deeply, versus water more frequently but with not as much water. You want the soil to be moist at least down one foot or more into the soil where the roots are. But…you don’t want to waterlog the soil either. Since your Knockouts are newly planted, you’ll want to make sure they get a lot of water as they get established into your garden during their first season. Don’t let them dry out, as then it’s harder to get them back to being healthy. So try watering them a few times a week if no rain is coming and see how they do. If it seems like too much, cut back a bit. And if you’re in for a heat wave, give them a longer drink. As long as you have wonderful green growth and lots of flowers, you’ll know your roses are happy! I hope this helps and please keep me posted! 🙂🌹

[@1967avl]

@@GardenSanityI'm in Zone 5b Chicago area. Heavy, clay soil.

[@GardenSanity]

@@1967avl I have heavy clay soil too, which I've amended over time with composted cow manure mixed into the soil every year or so, as well as using slow-release organic rose fertilizer. Both of these things have helped improve my soil -- especially the drainage, which helps prevent the roots from getting too waterlogged. All of the above advice I mentioned is exactly what I do. I hope this helps you! 😀

[@user-oh5uq8kg1l]

I planted a double knockout rose bush, in the Spring, not realizing how big it was going to get. It's now Summer, but I want it small and cute again. Will it hurt it to cut it back to a smaller size during the Summer? I do still want it to bloom until Fall.

[@GardenSanity]

Yes, you can cut it back and it should be fine. You'll have a few weeks without flowers, but they will definitely return. Plus, deadheading keeps the blooms coming. I have kept my own Knock Outs blooming into Thanksgiving by deadheading! The roses are lovely in Fall, especially with milder and cooler temperatures!

[@anamariaweston3253]

So happy I found you! So I have to know, have you decided to prune this fall yet? Getting ready to prune mine....Maybe

[@GardenSanity]

Glad you’re here Anamaria! I’ve decided to prune my roses from now on in early Spring. (I used to do it in the Fall.) There isn’t a difference, as either works. 🙂 Last year was my first time pruning in Spring - I have a pruning video on here - and I found that I liked having some of the leaves, though dried, remaining on the plant into the Winter months. It just looked less stark to me. I hope to do a Fall cleanup video soon, so I hope you’ll stay tuned! 🍂🥀🍂

[@anamariaweston3253]

@@GardenSanity like that idea. I think it will look stark where I have mine so I’ll do in the spring too. I’ll definitely tune into your fall cleanup video because I’m kind of a newbie. Thanks!

[@GardenSanity]

@@anamariaweston3253 Sounds like a plan! And once you go through the first year of caring for your Knockouts, you'll no longer be a newbie! 😄

[@dandoxey2824]

Great information. Could you tell me , when do I fertilize the knockout roses and with what fertilizer.

[@GardenSanity]

Hi Dan, I fertilize my Knockout Roses with Espoma Rose-tone. It's an organic, slow-release fertilizer, containing nutrients that fertilize the soil right away and over time. It's wonderful, and I don't get anything for saying this -- I just use it. 😂 I work the fertilizer into the soil in the Spring, when I do the big pruning. Then I add it at least once or twice around the shrubs during the Summer months, only if they look a bit sad. (This Summer I've only done it once, just recently.) A good way to work it into the soil, is to spread it around, and make sure it's "under" any bark mulch just before it will rain. Then Mother Nature does the rest of the work watering it in for you. I hope this helps!

[@dandoxey2824]

@@GardenSanity Thank you so much , so Rose tone it is , and how often do you fertilize the knockout roses?

[@GardenSanity]

You might have missed the rest of my previous reply to your question, as I shared how often I fertilize and when. ⬆️🙂

[@dandoxey2824]

@@GardenSanity Thank you so much for the information. My mistake , I only viewed part of your previous post . now I did read the whole reply , and thank you so much once again. I'm really looking forward to growing these knockout roses.

[@GardenSanity]

You’re welcome! Keep me posted on how they’re growing!

[@dandoxey2824]

Hi , I have another question about knockout roses. I think I may have watered them to much. I noticed some of the leaves are turning yellow. My question is , if I stop watering the roses , will those yellow leaves regain their green color or are they lost for good? Thank you for any information you give me.

[@GardenSanity]

Hi Dan, Once a leaf turns yellow, it will stay yellow until it eventually dies. No turning back to green, unfortunately. Pick off the yellow leaves, then cut back a bit on watering and see if that improves the leaf color. 👍🏼🌱

[@dandoxey2824]

@@GardenSanity Thank you so much for the information once again.

[@GardenSanity]

You’re welcome!

[@Bamboo4U2]

Hello. I'll rewatch the pruning video(s) later, but did you use rose tone or any other fertilizer after pruning? TIA.

[@GardenSanity]

Yes Jake, I talk about using Rose-tone after pruning in one of the videos. That’s the only fertilizer I use on the roses. 👍🏼

[@katrinagreely5399]

Question about having the geraniums intermingle in the roses: I thought you said in another video that knockout roses need air circulation to remain healthy. Won’t the geranium impede the air movement?

[@GardenSanity]

Good question Katrina -- thanks for asking! 👍 What's nice about Geranium Rozanne, is the tiny vines that crawl around plants and shrubs have the flowers intermingle without smothering the plant, as the leaves on the vines are tiny. So there's still good air circulation because the thin vines don't block or crowd the roses (and hydrangeas in my case too). The main foliage of Geranium Rozanne stays at the base of the plant and doesn't climb. Good question! 💙😃

[@katrinagreely5399]

@@GardenSanity thank you for the reply. Now I’m going to look at planting some Geranium Rozanne next year by my roses. ☺️

[@GardenSanity]

@@katrinagreely5399 Oh please keep me posted if/when you do! I think you'll enjoy the color combination! 💙💜

[@blue-sb4wq]

Hi, is it still ok to prune in April? I just found your video. Im in the same zone. Thanks!

[@GardenSanity]

Hi Blue - Yes, you can still prune your KO roses! Go for it! 😀🌹

[@blue-sb4wq]

thank you for the quick response!

[@blue-sb4wq]

@@GardenSanity as soon as i read your response i trimmed my knockout roses in afternoon and i think i trimmed it too much 😄. I have 5 6 ft tall and 4 ft wide knockout roses and trimmed it all the way to 15" from the ground 🥴🥴🥴 crossing my fingers that it will grow just like yours. Thank you!

[@GardenSanity]

No worries Blue! Last year I trimmed mine down that much and still had beautiful tall and bushy shrubs! Next year you won’t need to trim them down as much. 🙂🌹Fertilize and once the warm weather is here to stay, they will keep growing and blooming! 🌹👍

[@roxanasalas2875]

How far apart did you plant them. I keep having trouble planting my roses too closely. I want them to have enough space but also want them to fill the space I plant them in and not have such a big gap.

[@GardenSanity]

Hi Roxana, my Knockout Roses are planted 5 feet apart from each other, measuring from the center stems at the base of one bush to the center of another. This way, they get good air circulation which is necessary especially if you live in a hot and humid Summer climate, as it helps avoid fungal diseases. They have enough space to grow up and out, and still end up growing "into" each other to look like one big shrub, which is nice. If planting near the foundation of your home, make sure to plant them far enough away from the house so that they get enough full sun -- not blocked by any overhang from your roof, and also so the backs of the shrubs have just as much room to grow. You'll find spacing suggestions for Knockouts vary, some suggesting 3 feet apart, others suggesting 4 feet or more apart. How close were you planting your Knockouts? 🌹

[@gwynethgaspari6255]

We are so in need of rain. SE PA z7

[@GardenSanity]

Hi Gwyneth! Isn’t it crazy to go without rain for this long? Fingers crossed we get some soon!

[@wandasinger7713]

New subscriber. Your roses are beautiful. What color are they? On film they look Fuchsia color.

[@GardenSanity]

Thanks for subscribing Wanda! The Knock Out Roses that I have are the original variety first developed. The company's website -- you can find them at knockoutroses.com -- calls this rose "Radrazz" and they say the flower color is a cherry red and hot pink. I agree with you, however, and I call the color fuchsia as well! 🌹At last count, they now have 11 different varieties of Knock Outs, in many pretty colors.

[@geminil2415]

I am going to get rid of my rose bushes. I think roses are hard work. When we've have rainy weather they get covered in blackspot even though you spray it thoroughly, the branches thicken becoming to thick to prune. It's true they are beautiful in bloom but I'll look at someone elses roses.

[@Missdee10]

I haven’t pruned my knock outs at all. Should I just leave it until Fall? 🌹

[@GardenSanity]

Hi Dionne, I would avoid doing any major pruning now, as the temperatures warm up. However, you can do a minor pruning, not cutting into any woody growth but cutting back some of the green stems and growth. Doing so is a way to shape your shrubs without stressing them with major pruning as they are pushing out new leaves and flowers. If your first flush of Knockout flowers hasn’t finished, wait until most of the flowers are done, then go ahead and lightly prune. And yes, you can do the major pruning in Fall or next Spring. 👍 You can also still apply a good Rose fertilizer like Rose-tone. I hope this helps! 🌹

[@Missdee10]

@@GardenSanity yes that helps a lot! I am very new to gardening, and it’s quite the science! Thanks so much!!

[@GardenSanity]

@@Missdee10 You're so right -- it seems like there's a reason for everything we do -- or don't do -- in the garden. 😀 Feel free to ask any questions when watching my other videos -- I'm here to help so that your gardening journey remains enjoyable! 🌹

[@HandcraftedintheFoothills]

Can.these be cut way back after they have bloomed in May?

[@GardenSanity]

They can, but I'm not sure why you would want to do this? Is it because you hadn't pruned them earlier in the Spring? If so, yes, that's ok to do. Just make sure to cut them back before the weather turns super hot, as then the plants will be stressed. Knockout Roses respond great to pruning! Just follow all of the directions in my "pruning knockout roses" video and you'll be fine! Please keep me posted on how they're doing once they grow back! 🌹

[@HandcraftedintheFoothills]

@@GardenSanity yes I didn't do any pruning on these in either fall/early spring...it has grown wild after it bloomed...so I wanted to cut it back some(maybe not a hard prune) and shape it a bit

[@GardenSanity]

Sounds like a good idea! After pruning, give them fertilizer - a slow-release one for roses - and water it in well. They should recover nicely. (And I’m sure you’ll be happier too!) They do grow quickly! 🌹 Keep me posted on how they’re doing. 👍🙂

[@joyces2222]

Pruned mine back end of season. Looking at them this spring, i Guess they died...

[@GardenSanity]

Oh no Joyce! 😧 So there's absolutely no growth on them at all? Not sure what zone you are in, but they surely should have been leafing out by now, and possibly blooming already too. Sorry to read this...

[@bobbydavis8776]

What do you feed them with

[@GardenSanity]

Hi Bobby, I use Rose-tone by Espoma, which is a great slow-release organic fertilizer. Check out my previous rose pruning video - which this video above refers back to - and toward the end of that video I talk about fertilizing with Rose-tone. I hope this helps! 🙂👍

[@bobbydavis8776]

Thanks for responding

[@GardenSanity]

@@bobbydavis8776 No problem!

[@skrame01]

Dont spindly beanches thicken?

[@ryanfoss1230]

thats rose rosette

[@GardenSanity]

You are correct Ryan! It definitely ended up being rose rosette disease and the shrub came out! I was hoping the rejuvenation pruning might have helped to save it but no luck. Those darn mites stayed on the plant.

[@luigigalleani2290]

"our library"? lol foh

[@GardenSanity]

Hi Luigi, Yes the room behind those windows is filled with bookcases, floor to almost ceiling, filled with hundreds of books! We love to read, so we call it our library. Nothing pretentious, just calling it what it is! 🙂 I hope you found the video helpful. 🌹

[@luigigalleani2290]

@@GardenSanity ooh! hundreds! lol foh

[@madelinelore2416]

@@GardenSanity I also have a library in my home. They’re lovely to have ❤️ 📚

[@GardenSanity]

That’s awesome Madeline! I love to read, and in this world of mobile phones and social media and video games - it feels great to unplug and read a good book! ❤️📚