Easy Plant to Do Hardwood Cuttings Take to Root

Starting new plants from hardwood cuttings is a slow but reliable way to grow free plants from many deciduous shrubs and vines.

For more tips, see When to Take Plant Cuttings | Free Printable Garden Calendar. You can get step-by-step instructions for spring softwood cuttings here.

Getting Started With Hardwood Cuttings

With each plant species, there are usually several ways to grow new plants from existing ones, and each method depends on the season and characteristics of the species.

For this tutorial, we are using hardwood cuttings from (many) deciduous shrubs. These are shrubs and vines that drop their mature leaves and go dormant for the winter.

Hardwood is the fully mature section of plant shoots—the parts that will not bend in your hands—as opposed to the younger, pliable softwood growth that you can bend and twist.

We take hardwood cuttings for rooting in late autumn when the plant is going dormant for the winter, or in early spring before buds form and open. The example shown here is for late fall.

Overall, each cane provides several cuttings and for every 10 cuttings, I get about 6-7 new plants, but this can really vary, so do more than you need.

I saybe patient because it does take about a year, and sometimes longer, for good, strong roots to form. But, the advantage is that the cuttings are hardy and can be kept outdoors all year-round. If you have room to stash a container outside or can spare part of a garden bed, it's really very little effort for a lot of plants. Besides keeping them watered when actively growing, there is nothing to do but cheer them on.

Plants to Propagate From Hardwood Cuttings
How to Take Hardwood Cuttings
Year-Round Plant Cuttings Calendar
Resources

Plants to Propagate From Hardwood Cuttings

These suggestions come from my own experiments and those of other gardeners. If you have success rooting hardwood cuttings other plants not listed here, please let me know.

Examples of plants to use for rooting hardwood cuttings.

Wait! Before You Plant…

Be sure any plants you choose are:

Recommended for your growing zone.
Not invasive in your area.
Suitable for your growing conditions including sun, soil, water, and wind.
Contribute to biodiversity by providing food, nectar, or habitat.
Not too big for the space available when they reach maturity.

Plant Patents: Some plants are patented and asexual reproduction is not permitted without permission from the patent holder. Patents and trademarks are listed on plant tags.

AbeliaAbelia spp.
BittersweetCelastrus spp.*
BlueberryVaccinium spp.
BroomCytisus spp.
Butterfly bush Buddeja spp.

Chrysanthemum (genus)
Currants
DogwoodCornus spp.
DeutziaDeutzia spp.
Elder Sambucus spp.
EuonymusEuonymus spp.*
FigFicus spp.
ForsythiaForsythia spp.
GooseberriesRibes spp.
GrapeVitis spp.
Honey locustGleditsia triacanthos
Honeysuckle Lonicera spp.*
*beware of invasive species including L. japonica
Hydrangea
Ivy, BostonParthenocussus tricuspidata
JasmineJasminum spp.
LaburnumLaburnum spp.

Mock orangePhiladelphus spp.
MulberryMorus spp.*
NinebarkPhysocarpus spp.
PlanePlatanus spp.
PoplarsPopulus spp.
PrivetLigustrum spp. – can be invasive in natural areas: check for your region.
PussywillowSalix spp.
Rose of SharonHibiscus syriacus
RoseRosa spp.
Russian olive Elaeagnus angustifolia* unless invasive in your area
Sand cherryPrunus spp.
SpiraeaSpiraea spp
Snowberry bushSymphoricarpos spp.
Trumpet creeper Campsis spp.
VirburnumVirburnum spp.
Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia
WeigelaWeigela spp.
WillowSalix spp.

*Watch for invasive species including Celastrus orbiculatus and Euonymus alatus and White Mulberry (Morus alba).

Related: Handy Garden Checklist: What To Do In Fall & Winter

How to Take Hardwood Cuttings

This video shows the process:

Please keep in mind that these instructions provide a general overview and results will vary depending on the plant, its preferences for propagation, and growing conditions. Once you see the process, you can look up tips for specific plant types as needed.

The example here takes the cutting in fall, starts the rooting process, and stores the cuttings over winter in a sheltered outdoor location.

1 Take Cutting

Timing

Take hardwood cuttings from deciduous shrubs and vines (see the suggested plant list) in the fall, after 'leaf drop', and before the ground is frozen.

Clean Pruners

First, always clean your pruners or knife with rubbing alcohol, or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart or liter of water (for at least one minute) to prevent the spread of disease.

Selecting Hardwood Canes/Stems from Mother Plant

Choose new, straight, hardwood canes (from the past year) that are approximately 1/2″ thick.

Early morning is the best time to take cuttings when plants have their best moisture levels.

Leaf Nodes

The cuts will be made above and below the leaf nodes.

These are the little nubs on the canes where leaves grow from.

Removing Hardwood Canes/Stems from Mother Plant

When removing the cane from the mother plant, make a straight cut near the base of the plant, directly below a leaf node. This should be hardwood, not softwood.
Be careful never to damage the nodes when cutting.
Place the base of the cutting in warm water or damp paper towel.

Next, you will prepare the cuttings for rooting.

2 Prepare For Rooting

Preparing Cuttings from the Canes/Stems

On your cane/stem, count 4 leaf nodes from the base cut.
Just above the top/4th leaf node, make an angled cut. Check the video to see how I've angled mine away from the leaf node.
Remove any leaves and buds from the bottom 3 nodes. Any growth can remain on the top/4th node.

Base versus Top

We can always tell the base from the top because the base has a straight cut and the top has an angled cut.

Preparing More Cuttings from the Leftover Cane/Stem

If there is more hardwood on the rest of the cane, you can prepare more cuttings from it. To check, make sure it's 1/2″ thick and hardwood (not bendable).

3 Plant in Potting Mix

Rooting Hormone

If you are new to this, see Rooting Hormone Tips for Plant Propagation.

Use rooting hormone and follow the instructions on the product label.
Dispense some rooting hormone powder in a separate dish.
Dry off the base of the cane and dip it in the powder.
Tap of the excess and place the cane in growing medium.

Growing Medium

Growing medium options include coarse builder's sand (not fine sand), coarse grit (I use bags of coarse poultry grit from the farm supply store), or a mixture of peat, perlite, and compost. If you have a friendly local grower, ask them what they like best.

Planting Depth

Plant the cutting so that two nodes are in the growing medium and the top two are above the soil.

Containers or in a Garden Bed

For containers, you can use winter-proof pots, plastic bins with drainage holes, or plant directly in a garden bed with the right growing medium.

Planting the Cutting

Before inserting the cuttings, make a hole (using a pencil or dibber) or trough in the growing medium. This will prevent the medium from rubbing off the rooting hormone.
Plant each cutting so that the two bottom nodes are buried in the growing medium, and the top two are above the soil. The roots are going to grow from the bottom nodes.
Use plant tags to keep track of everything.

4 Water & Grow Cutting

Watering & Overwintering

This method is used in zones 4-8. The cuttings can sit outside in a sheltered location all winter and will resume growing in spring. This is one form of overwintering.

Unlike softwood cuttings which rely on photosynthesis for energy, hardwood cuttings do not require sunlight. Instead, they get their energy from their woody stores.

After planting, give everything a nice, deep watering, firm down the growing medium, and stash the container in the garden. A sheltered but sunny location is usually the best.
If high winds and icy conditions are likely, mulch your cuttings with straw or leaves.

Watch for Animals

If you have rabbits, deer, or vermin, you may need to add a barrier to keep them from snacking on your cuttings when food is scare during the winter.

Winter

The cuttings will be dormant over the winter.

Spring

In spring, you should resume watering. New growth should appear on the top two nodes. This is a sign that new roots are forming.
During the spring and summer, you should see continuous growth.

Next Fall

By fall, most types of plants are ready for proper planting in your garden.
Growth will vary by species (of course). Some will be vigorous; others will be slow growers. Just like us.

Year-Round Plant Cuttings Calendar

Resources

I hope you will give this a try. And happy growing.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

How to Root Hardwood Cuttings

Step-by-step instructions for taking hardwood cuttings from deciduous shrubs and vines to root and grow new plants for the garden.

Steps 45 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Cost: $5

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Plant tags
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Bamboo skewers
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Plastic food bag

▢ 1 Shrub with hardwood stems

Take Cutting

Clean snippers with rubbing alcohol.
Choose straight, hardwood canes (from the past year) that are approximately 1/2″ thick.
Remove stem at base of stem below a leaf node and immediately place cut end in warm water or damp paper towel.

Prepare For Rooting

Cut stem on an angle above every 4th leaf node, working from base up.
Pinch off lower leaves from lower 3 leaf nodes, leaving one set at top.

Plant in Potting Mix

Dip lower 2-inches of stem in rooting hormone powder and tap off excess.
Place stem in potting mix, coarse sand, or other growing medium, burying lower 2-inches and secure in place.

Water & Grow Cutting

Water thoroughly and continue watering as needed never allowing potting mix to dry out.
Place in warm spot outdoors with indirect sun. Can be left outdoors over winter.
When roots are 1-3 inches long, transplant to garden.

See the video for a step-by-step walk-through.

crosleysirsenes.blogspot.com

Source: https://empressofdirt.net/grow-hardwood-cuttings/