How to Take Care of Roses in Winter

Roses are a true pride of any garden, but once winter arrives many gardeners begin to wonder: is it still safe to prune them now? Making the wrong decisions during the cold season can weaken the plant, so it is important to know which tasks are appropriate and which should be avoided.

Can roses be pruned in December?

The short answer is no.

By December, roses have already entered their dormant period, which means winter pruning can harm them. Cutting branches at this time may:

• stimulate new buds to form at the wrong time,
• reduce the plant’s cold resistance,
• increase the risk of branches freezing or developing diseases.

The main pruning of roses should be done in spring, when frost has passed and the plant begins active growth.

What can be done in winter?

If necessary, only minimal sanitary pruning is recommended:

• remove broken or diseased branches,
• cut off old flower heads if they are still present.

Important: shaping, shortening, or heavily thinning the rose bush in winter is not recommended.

How to prepare roses for winter?

Proper preparation before severe frost is much more important than any pruning. Here are the essential steps to help your roses remain strong until spring.

1. Mounding – essential frost protection

Pile 20–30 cm (8–12 in) of soil or compost around the base of the rose.
This protects the graft union and helps maintain stable temperatures in the root zone.

2. Mulching

Apply a layer of:

• compost,
• peat,
• shredded bark,
• spruce branches.

Mulch reduces soil temperature fluctuations and protects roots from freezing.

3. Covering

When temperatures consistently drop below –8…–10 °C (14–18 °F), roses may be covered with:

• spruce branches,
• breathable garden fabric.

Important: the cover must allow air to circulate. Plastic film is unsuitable, as it traps moisture and may cause rotting.

4. Protecting climbing and tall roses

Long canes can break under the weight of snow. Therefore:

• gently bend climbing roses toward the ground,
• secure them,
• cover with spruce branches.

5. Protection from rodents

Avoid leaving large amounts of organic debris near roses, as it may attract mice.

When is the best time to prune roses?

• Spring – the main pruning period.
• Summer – removing spent blooms encourages a second flush of flowers.
• Autumn – only light clean-up, no shaping.
• Winter – only essential sanitary removal of damaged branches.

In summary

Roses should not be pruned in December.
The most important task for gardeners is to help them overwinter safely: mound soil, mulch, and cover if needed. By following these recommendations, your roses will enter spring strong and reward you with abundant blooms in summer.