In the wintertime, your roses look like they’re doing nothing. The leaves are gone, the flowers have faded, and all that’s left are bare stems. But even though your roses seem quiet, they are doing something very important—they are resting.
This time of rest is called dormancy. Dormancy is like sleep for plants. It helps them save energy and survive cold weather. During dormancy, the plant stops growing and focuses on staying alive deep in the soil.
Inside the rose’s roots, energy is stored from the summer’s sunshine. That energy will be used later in the spring when the plant wakes up and starts growing again. Without dormancy, your roses wouldn’t have the strength to bloom later.
Different types of roses go dormant in different ways. Some lose their leaves early, while others hold on longer. Some might even stay a little green if the weather is mild. But no matter what, roses need time to rest just like people do.
You don’t need to water or feed your roses during dormancy unless it’s a dry winter. Just keep them protected and let nature do its work. Winter rest helps your roses grow stronger and healthier in the next season.
So even though your garden looks quiet now, remember—your roses are just sleeping. They’ll be ready to wake up and grow again in no time.