[ggsteve]

For the first time ever I have roses that seem to be thriving. I planted 3 of the "Knock Out" variety roses and so far they have responded as advertised. Good growth, blooms all summer (even now), and no diseases to speak of. All I did was throw them in the ground and water them once in a while.

My question is, should I mulch them for our New England winter and if so, how and when? As mentioned, they are still blooming.

I was planning to mound up leaves about a foot around each plant. They are about 2' tall each. Should I wait until they stop growing before mulching?

 

[lawnguy]

I live in central CT and have several knockout roses. They are great plants. I generally wait for about three good frosts that are close together. That will send the plant into its dormant stages. Growth will stop and then its good to mulch them in. IN the spring I cut the branches back to keep them under control. Each year it seems they are stronger and stronger.

 

[Cat385B]

Mulch the base now, without covering any green. When it starts to consistently gets below 25 overnight for a few days running, cover the rest. Anything left exposed will have to be pruned in the spring.

 

[engine2quarters]

5 of my 7 roses are already covered in their leaf canopy for the winter. Trim them to 12 inches high, surround with a 'chicken' wire cylindrical form, fill with leaves. In the spring, lift off the form, the leaves will come with it. Dump the leaves in the compost pile. Gingerly remove remaining leaves from the 'new' sprouts. Replace wire form, keeps rabbits away from the new growth.
Last 2 plants are still in bloom.
Everything should be done by Thanksgiving.

 

[MowHoward2210]

I never mulch my knockout roses, but I am further south than you. I'm told you can prune them or not prune them. Either way they are very prolific when they bloom.

 

[ggsteve]

All three plants are acting differently even though they are next to each other in the same bed. One continues to flower profusely, one has been growing leaves and no flowers for the last month, and the one in the middle stopped growing altogether about a month ago! (it seems healthy). I put about a foot deep leaf litter around the plant bases while mowing/mulching this weekend. We'll see how it goes.

 

[engine2quarters]

Last 2 plants were bedded in yesterday. Last night had our 2nd heavy frost, heavy white on the lawns looked like snow. No wind. Leaves fell straight down off the remaining maples.