With the arrival of winter, the Palermo Rose Garden begins its annual pruning and, as it does every year, gives away rose cuttings to local residents. This tradition allows anyone to take a piece of this iconic Buenos Aires garden home. The initiative, organized by Commune 14 of the City of Buenos Aires , aims to bring this natural heritage closer to people's homes and encourage the cultivation of rose bushes at home.
Winter pruning is carried out during the colder months because plants enter a period of reduced activity, which minimizes stress. Gardening teams remove weak and diseased branches , shape each plant, and improve air circulation. They then apply fertilizer to encourage more abundant flowering in the spring.
Dates and place to collect the cuttings
The free distribution will take place in two phases: July 6, 7, and 8, and July 13-17 , always between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM. The meeting point is the Paseo del Rosedal, within Parque Tres de Febrero, accessible via Avenida Presidente Pedro Montt and Avenida John F. Kennedy. Distribution is on a first-come, first-served basis and will be suspended in case of rain.
During the event, volunteers and gardening staff will be on hand to offer technical guidance on planting the cuttings and tips to encourage rooting. Participants are advised to bring a bag or container to protect the cuttings during transport and to prepare a pot with suitable potting mix at home.
Why do we prune in winter?
Winter pruning is a key practice for maintaining the health of rose bushes. Performed during the plant's dormancy, it minimizes stress and encourages the growth of stronger new shoots. Gardeners remove damaged branches, improve air circulation, and apply nutrients to the soil to strengthen the roots.
The first flowers usually appear in September and reach their peak in October, when the Rose Garden becomes one of Palermo's most photographed landscapes. The bloom can exceed 18.000 roses , thanks to the more than 8.000 rose bushes of 93 different species that the park houses.
How to plant a rose cutting step by step
For the cutting to root properly, experts recommend moistening the base about two centimeters deep , applying rooting hormone powder, and burying it eight centimeters deep in a pot filled with fertile soil mixed with perlite. The pot should be placed in a bright location but out of direct sunlight and watered moderately, avoiding waterlogging.
A common home remedy is to cover the pot with a cut plastic bottle, creating a mini-greenhouse, which helps retain moisture. The cutting should remain in this pot for about a year and be transplanted the following winter, when the plant is stronger. If all goes well, it may flower towards the end of the year.
A stroll through history: the Palermo Rose Garden
Located in Tres de Febrero Park, the Rose Garden covers 3,4 hectares and was inaugurated in 1914. The project was initiated by the French landscape architect Carlos Thays and completed by his disciple Benito Carrasco. Among its attractions are the Greek bridge over the lake, the amphitheater, the Andalusian Courtyard—donated by Seville in 1929—and the Garden of Poets, with busts of writers such as Alfonsina Storni, William Shakespeare, and Jorge Luis Borges.
In 2012, the promenade received the Garden Excellence Award, an international recognition from the World Federation of Rose Societies. Today it is one of the most visited public gardens in Buenos Aires and a magnet for photographers and tourists, especially during the spring bloom.
The distribution of rose cuttings not only allows you to propagate rose bushes at home, but also multiplies the legacy of the Rose Garden on balconies, terraces, and patios throughout Buenos Aires. With patience and proper care, that small stem can become your own rose bush and bloom over time, bringing a piece of Palermo's green history to any corner of the city.
