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When to prune roses, shrub and landscape (Knock Out®, Drift®)

Late winter/early spring as buds swell. Reblooming shrub roses take a hard cut by about a third to a half in late winter; they flower on new growth.

Typeshrub
Blooms onnew wood
Bloom seasonspring-fall
When to pruneLate winter/early spring as buds swell
StopNo heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before your first fall frost

Avoid

Fall pruning.

Example dates

PlaceDates
Austin, TX (78701)Feb 10–Mar 10
Atlanta, GA (30303)Feb 24–Mar 24
St. Louis, MO (63101)Mar 4–Apr 1
Chicago, IL (60614)Mar 13–Apr 10
Denver, CO (80202)Apr 2–30
Seattle, WA (98101)Feb 13–Mar 13

Every ZIP page has its own dates. Find your ZIP.

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Sources

Summarized in our own words from public extension publications.

All pruning timing