Hi Michael,

Knock out roses are a type of shrub rose.  Shrub roses are generally lightly pruned during the growing season to encourage more blooms. Dead, damaged, diseased, and crossing stems are removed. Side shoots at the outer edges of the plant should be tip pruned. If the bush is overcrowded, one or two of the oldest, unproductive canes should be removed at the base of the plant.  There is little you can do wrong when
pruning a rose.
Keep in mind that any remaining leaves from the previous season should be removed. Leaves, dried petals, canes, stems, and other debris on the ground around the bushes should be cleaned up and hauled to the trash. These old leaves and other
debris provide hiding places for over-wintering fungus and insects that are waiting to attack the green new growth and delicate blooms.

Thank you for using Ask Extension.

Pam V
MSUE Master Gardener