I was told to prune my Knock out roses to 3 to 4 in and cover them with mulch. What is my chances of success?

The nursery told me to wait for the first frost and prune my Knock out roses down to 3 to 4 inches, then cover them with mulch. I dug the much back today and they don't look very good. Is there any hope?

I was told to prune my Knock out roses to 3 to 4 in and cover them with mulch. What is my chances of success?
I care for over 250 roses every year. Most of them are knock out. You got some bad advice. Knock outs should be pruned to 12-18". I do this in January or February. I try to leave 5 canes. I am in zone 7 and don't change the mulch at all. In zone 5 or less I probably would want to add mulch at the base of the plant. Knock out roses are very hardy and disease resistant. If you see bud's there is hope. I would treat them as you normally would. I like to place a banana peel just under the mulch up close to the plant. It's a great organic fertilizer that releases nutrients quickly.
Reply:I live in Michigan and I don't do anything to my bushes, until spring and they I clip the branches a little to shape.
Reply:Generally Knock Out roses should just be left alone in fall and mulched to keep the base and roots from freezing. Spring pruning is cutting back to 12 inches, shaping and cleaning up dead branches. Don't give up, they need sun and some warmth to get going-removing the mulch will accomplish that. They were bred for winter hardiness so are probably still dormant.
Reply:I am little confused abt ur quiry. If u have bent the rose stem and create little scar on the stem and wet mulch (Budding) will definitely give the good result





Nakkeeran
Reply:Except for removing dead wood and shaping the plant, it is recommended "leaving Knock Outs unpruned for the first 2 years and then use the "one-third" method. Each year remove one-third of the oldest canes (in addition to any dead, diseased or dying canes)."


http://www.bloomindesigns.com/category/p...





You do not have to prune this shrub rose like you would a modern hybrid tea. For the first few years Knock Out roses look compact. Then after about 3 years - they can grow to be huge.


http://experts.about.com/q/Roses-732/Kno...





Knock Out roses are pruned at the first signs of spring. Besides shaping the rose bush, pruning encourages new growth and bloom, removes dead wood, %26amp; improves air circulation.





This question %26amp; answer blog is informative %26amp; recommends late March through mid-April pruning. This makes sense in more northern areas...others cite Feb. pruning in warmer zones. If your Knock Outs are getting too big, you can take them down to about one foot, to keep them compact. How much you prune depends on how big %26amp; full you want them to get eventually.


http://blog.pennlive.com/gardening/roses...





Your Knock Outs are just dormant. They'll be fine :) I use aged compost %26amp; pine needles as mulch, spread around the plants all year round, for the moisture %26amp; nutrient benefits.





Good luck!!! Hope this helps.