There is a particular thrill in pushing a bare twig into the ground in October and knowing that next autumn it will be a plant. Hardwood cuttings are the least fussy kind of propagation: no heated propagator, no polythene tent, just a sharp pair of secateurs, a trench, and patience.
What works. Roses (especially shrub and rambling types), gooseberries, currants, willow, dogwood, forsythia, buddleja and philadelphus all strike readily. Choose healthy stems from this year’s growth, as thick as a pencil, once the leaves have dropped.
How to take them. Cut a stem about 25 cm long, making a straight cut just below a bud at the bottom and a sloping cut just above a bud at the top – the slope sheds water and tells you which way up it goes. Remove any remaining leaves and thorns near the base. A dip of the base in hormone rooting powder helps roses but is not essential for most others.
Where to put them. Dig a narrow slit trench in a sheltered, well-drained spot, 15 cm deep, and sprinkle grit along the bottom for drainage. Set the cuttings 10 cm apart with only a third showing above ground, firm the soil and label them. No garden bed spare? A deep pot of gritty compost works well, standing against a sheltered wall.
Then wait. Keep them from drying out in mild spells and check after frost, since freezing can lift them out of the ground – gently firm them back in. Next autumn, lift the ones that have rooted and pot them on or plant them out; leave any slow ones another year.
Make a few more than you need. Not every stem takes, and the spares make wonderful gifts for neighbours – I keep a row for the village plant sale every year.
The pots, trays and gritty compost I use are collected in the Planters & Pots section of my landing page – link in bio.
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