Should I Cut Back My Knock Out Roses For Winter?
Knock Out roses are winter-hardy shrubs in many regions, but the timing of pruning matters more than the amount. Cutting them back heavily in late fall or early winter can do more harm than good because new growth triggered by pruning is easily killed by frost. In most cases, the better approach is to wait until late winter or early spring, remove only damaged canes in fall, and focus on protection rather than reduction in cold climates.