Question
Hello,

 I purchased last summer a knock-out rose. I didn't know anything about pruning, winterizing etc so I left it to 'survive' winter on its own without any 'help'. It did very well in the winter but then when a frost hit the Kansas area in March/April (I covered the bush with a trashbag for a few days) the branches turned black. I thought the bush died but then it nicely came back and had beautiful blooms this year. Because of that at the end of this year I bought the new pink knock-out rose bush and planted it next to my existing knock-out. My original knockout is of course taller than last year and taller than the one I just recently purchased.
I read conflicting advice on how to winterize them and whether to winterize them at all or not, so I am confused.
Do I have to cut the branches back (if so then how short and when should I do it, wait with it until spring or do it now) or should I just leave them as is? I was recommended to put mulch around the stem/base of the bush which I am planning to do, but what more can I do for them to help them survive in a possible frost next spring.
Thank you so much for your answer in advance.

Answer
Knockout roses are on their own root systems, which makes them very hardy.  I always recommend pruning your roses in the early spring to promote new healthy growth. Plus they normally get winter cane die back, so you have to prune again in the Spring anyway, but lose more growth that way.  Prune down to a five leaf outward facing bud, at a 45 degree angle in early Spring, when you start to see new growth.  You can prune down to waist high, but I wouldn't go any lower than that.  I also recommend mulching around the base of the shrub to help insulate and protect the root system during the winter months.  Hay is the best insulating mulch and it looks nice.  I hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.