Question
Hi Lynnette,

We're in Birmingham, Alabama.  

I have a row of 15 Knockout roses that are about 4 feet tall, too tall  and wide for the surrounding area.  They're very healthy, in their 3rd year and have bloomed heavily.  

I would like to take them down to about 2 feet tall to help the view of other plants, if that won't hurt them.  I hope to do this during the first two weeks of November.

The job is a big one and I would appreciate any tips to make it a little easier.  We're new to roses and don't want to trim them too aggressively or at the wrong time of year.

Thanks for your help!

Answer
I know rose books scare you when it comes to pruning but because Knock Out roses are classified as modern shrubs, they are very easy to prune. You really can't go wrong and even if you do make a mistake, they will forgive you. To keep roses down to where you want them, requires that you prune twice  a year. First you prune in November for your area and then if they start to throw up tall canes, cut them back around the middle of August. Summer pruning is the only way to keep any rose at the height you want it to be. Knock Out roses will get away on you if you don't watch out. Many gardeners have used an electric hedge trimmer to keep shubs in check. There are also those that say it multilates the bushes. I have found that if I brace myself and cut the roses very slowly it doesn't chew the canes and works very well but the secret is to hold the hedge trimmer securely and slowly move over the roses. Hope this helps.