Why Knockout Roses Need Trimming This Month
Knockout roses need to be trimmed this month! Two trimmings are recommended for knockout roses: one in February and one in August. This summer pruning is critical for maintaining healthy, blooming roses throughout fall in your Midlothian or Prosper landscape.
Why August Trimming Matters
Remember, knockouts bloom off of new growth, and trimming your knockouts promotes this new growth. Trimming your knockout roses right now is going to help them fill with blooms for the rest of the summer and into the fall.
What Happens If You Don't Trim
If left untrimmed, knockouts will start to lose their inner foliage due to a lack of sunlight, which makes them look thin and scraggly. So trimming doesn't just promote blooms—it also helps them maintain the full, dense look that you want from knockout roses.
Problems with untrimmed knockout roses:
- Thin, leggy appearance
- Loss of interior foliage
- Reduced bloom production
- Fewer flowers in fall
- Bare stems showing at the base
- Overall unhealthy appearance
How Much to Trim
Don't be shy with your trimmings either—you can remove up to half of the plant with this trimming if necessary! Knockout roses are extremely resilient and respond well to aggressive pruning.
Trimming guidelines:
- Remove 1/3 to 1/2 of the plant height
- Cut back to outward-facing buds
- Remove any dead or crossing branches
- Shape the plant into a rounded form
- Make clean cuts at 45-degree angles
- Trim all knockout roses at the same time for uniform appearance
Best Practices for August Trimming
- Timing: Mid to late August is ideal for North Texas
- Tools: Use clean, sharp pruning shears or loppers
- Technique: Cut just above an outward-facing bud
- Cleanup: Remove all trimmings and debris from around plants
- Follow-up: Water well after trimming and consider light fertilization
Benefits of Proper Knockout Rose Maintenance
Regular trimming provides multiple benefits:
- Abundant blooms through fall
- Fuller, more attractive plants
- Better air circulation (reduces disease)
- Stronger new growth
- Extended blooming season
- Professional landscape appearance
Professional Landscape Maintenance
At Vista Lawn and Pest, we provide comprehensive landscape care in Midlothian and Prosper, including ornamental plant maintenance, fertilization programs for shrubs and roses, and complete lawn care with weed control services. Our team ensures your entire property stays beautiful year-round.
Don't skip this important August trimming—your knockout roses will reward you with stunning fall blooms!
Watch the video below to see proper knockout rose trimming techniques and learn how much to cut for maximum bloom production.
For professional landscape maintenance and lawn care services in Midlothian and Prosper, contact Vista Lawn and Pest.
