Last summer I took cuttings from one of my viburnums and a couple spireas. They have a good start this year and are beginning to put on new growth. The viburnum came from a softwood cutting that was about 3-4 nodes long. I need to transplant it into some better soil since all I used for it over the winter was some topsoil. Cutting corners on your soil is not a great idea! As you can see my viburnum is beginning to flower. I need to remove the flower to focus the plant’s energy on root building and foliage growing.
The spireas make easy candidates for hardwood cuttings. A four node cuttings should root in less than six weeks and does so very reliably. I used rooting hormone (which you can find here: rooting hormone (Am. Aff.)) for the viburnum and spireas to help stimulate root growth and followed the usual procedures for taking cuttings. I may go ahead and plant these somewhere in the garden and see how well they do. As long as the rabbits don’t attack they should do fine!
I plan on taking cuttings from our other viburnums as soon as there is enough greenwood this spring. Time to get outside and take cuttings!
For more information on Plant Propagation try these posts:
The Care and Propagation of Japanese Dappled Willows
For many years now I have really enjoyed the beauty of our Japanese dappled willows (Salix integra). Japanese dappled willows (or tri-colored willows) are gorgeous shrubby willows that grow up to around 10ft tall. These willows are known for their variegated foliage that emerges initially as pink before gradually turning to green and white on the leaves. Here is a complete care guide that you…
Float Testing Acorns for Viability
The majestic oak is one of Tennessee’s most beautiful native trees. It’s also an extremely useful tree for our local wildlife as it can host over 200 species of insects and animals. You can see why you would want to cultivate more oak trees! Recently I gathered some acorns from a nearby tree on our property. The oak tree is right on the line where…
I am so impressed, I can’t stand it! I’ll be back to check this out in More Detail! 🙂 (Thank you!)
I am excited to see how the viburnums perform! Dave, you are the Professor of Propagating for sure! gail
Is that the snowball bush? It looks just like my little cuttings. I was surprised they made it as many did not, like fothergilla:(( Free plants are great!
Spireas as so great to propagate (as are hydrangeas). One year I trimmed my spirea and hydrangea and threw the cuttings into the compost pile. When I harvested compost the next summer I found multiple new spirea bushes and hydrangeas bushes. Easiest propagation I ever did.
Wonderful Dave. Yes sir, I do need to go and take some cuttings…Thanks for the gentle reminder.
I never remember to try cuttings. I think I will try it on my spireas. I like the little flower!
Your new little cuttings look great Dave. I'm going to have to give this a try with my Viburnums & Spireas too. Can't beat free plants for the garden!
This is a great idea and very useful information. I may give this a try in my garden this fall. THANK YOU for sharing. I am going to add your blog to my favorite list so I can come back often.
Happy Spring!