Roses - Shrub Rose
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  (July) We have planted "Knock Out Rose Bushes" . Should the spent blooms be cut off so new ones will come on? How much water and fertilizer do they need?

  Knock out roses are self-cleaning, meaning they will usually drop their spent blooms without forming seed heads. They should not need the constant cleaning or deadheading of other roses. You can cut them back if they aren't shedding the flowers quick enough, but it isn't a requirement. Since they are new roses, I would water regularly and fertilize every month or two during the season, but they don't require these if you choose not to. These roses are much easier to maintain than the average rose, since they will thrive without sprays or regular care, and even bloom in 4 hours of sunlight.

  (September) Please tell me when to prune my old fashioned bush roses. They are huge. I pruned in February last year and got just a few blooms. They are healthy and get no care.

  Many old-fashioned shrub roses only bloom in the spring on buds set the previous season. While some are repeaters, that bloom all summer, it sounds like yours on in the first group. Treat them like any spring blooming plant, and prune as needed in the spring AFTER bloom. These old-fashioned shrub roses, don't need the severe pruning we give to hybrid teas, but if space is limited, they may be pruned hard, but enjoy the blooms first.

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