Winter plant propagation from cuttings
June 30, 2015
Late winter (August–September) is ideal for hardwood cuttings of deciduous plants.
This method works well for many woody shrubs, vines, and trees that have woody, mature stems, dormant or slowed metabolic activity and the ability to root easily without active foliage.
This method works well for many woody shrubs, vines, and trees that have woody, mature stems, dormant or slowed metabolic activity and the ability to root easily without active foliage.
- Choose healthy, dormant, non-flowering stems.
- Plant in moist, well-draining medium.
- Place cuttings in a sheltered, bright area with indirect light.
- Keep the medium moist, and check for roots after 6–8 weeks.
August
September
Related
Chinese dogwood
Common name
Chinese dogwood
Botanical name
Cornus kousa chinensis
Family
Cornaceae
Details
Small, deciduous tree with pink edible fruits 4-5cm in diameter ripening in autumn.
Flowers
Cream
Diameter
1.00
Date
August 05, 2013
Height (m)
6.0
Forest layer
low-tree
Edible
Fruit / berries
Perennial
Shade / Sun
Semi shade, Full sun
Soil type
Moist
Wind tolerance
poor
Chinese wisteria
Common name
Chinese wisteria
Botanical name
Wisteria sinensis
Family
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
Details
Vigorous climber, twining anti-clockwise, deciduous. Will climb into a tree and can be trained on a pagola or fence. Fragrant mauve flowers in long racemes before the leaves.
Date
August 13, 2013
Diameter
1.00
Forest layer
vertical
Height (m)
7.0
Flowers
Purple
Nitrogen fixer
Perennial
Shade / Sun
Full sun
Soil type
Moist
Grape
Propagation method
Cutting
Botanical name
Vitis vinifera
Details
Vigorous, deciduous climbing vines prized for their sweet, juicy fruit. Thriving in sunny, well-drained locations with warm, dry summers and mild winters, they produce clusters of berries in summer (January to March in the southern hemisphere).
Grapes are propagated through cuttings, layering, or grafting and require a trellis or structure for support. With proper pruning, watering, and fertilizing, these long-lived plants yield abundant fruit for fresh eating, drying into raisins, or juicing.
They fit well into forest gardens as climbers in the vertical layer, providing food, shade, and biodiversity support.
Grapes are propagated through cuttings, layering, or grafting and require a trellis or structure for support. With proper pruning, watering, and fertilizing, these long-lived plants yield abundant fruit for fresh eating, drying into raisins, or juicing.
They fit well into forest gardens as climbers in the vertical layer, providing food, shade, and biodiversity support.
Diameter
1.00
Forest layer
vertical
Drought tolerance
Edible
Fruit / berries
Perennial
Shade / Sun
Full sun - part shade
Green Tea
Details
The leaves are infused in hot water and used as the drink that is commonly known as tea. It is widely drunk in many areas of the world. Green tea is made from the steamed and dried leaves.
Botanical name
Camellia Sinensis
Family
Theaceae
Height (m)
2
Forest layer
shrub
Evergreen
Perennial
Date
June 29, 2013
Colour
White
Laburnum
Common name
Golden chain or golden rain tree
Details
Yellow pea-flowers in pendulous leafless racemes 10–40 cm (4–15.5 in) long in spring, which makes them very popular garden trees.
All parts of the plant are poisonous, although mortality is very rare. Symptoms of laburnum poisoning may include intense sleepiness, vomiting, convulsive movements, coma, slight frothing at the mouth and unequally dilated pupils.
All parts of the plant are poisonous, although mortality is very rare. Symptoms of laburnum poisoning may include intense sleepiness, vomiting, convulsive movements, coma, slight frothing at the mouth and unequally dilated pupils.
Family
Fabaceae
Flowers
Yellow
Diameter
6.00
Height (m)
6
Forest layer
low-tree
Drought tolerance
Nitrogen fixer
Perennial
Shade / Sun
Full sun / part shade
Soil type
Most
Wind tolerance
Good
Propagation method
Sow pot / tray
Elaeagnus pungens
Common name
Elaeagnus, Thorny olive, Thorny Elaeagnus, Oleaster, Silverberry, Silverthorn, Pungent Elaeagnus
Botanical name
Elaeagnus pungens
Family
Elaeagnaceae
Details
Found on sunny slopes, road sides and thickets in lowlands, usually below 1000 metres and especially by the sea
Origin - E. Asia - China, Japan.
Origin - E. Asia - China, Japan.
Diameter
4.00
Height (m)
4
Forest layer
shrub
Drought tolerance
Edible
Evergreen
Fruit / berries
Nitrogen fixer
Perennial
Shade / Sun
Full shade to full sun
Soil type
Most
Wind tolerance
Maritime exposure
Plant propagation
Details
There are many ways to obtain healthy plants for next to nothing. By propagating your own plants you not only save money but can introduce genetic variation by starting new plants from seed.
If you are looking to replicate a natural ecosystem or create a biodiverse and healthy garden you are going to need a lot of plants. Many species can be cloned by taking cuttings or by layering.
If you are looking to replicate a natural ecosystem or create a biodiverse and healthy garden you are going to need a lot of plants. Many species can be cloned by taking cuttings or by layering.
Elaeagnus x ebbingei
Botanical name
Elaeagnus x ebbingei
Family
Elaeagnaceae
Details
Fast-growing, wind, cold & salt tolerant. Dense evergreen dark-green shrub with glossy leaves.
Highly-scented white flowers in autumn followed by orange-red edible fruit mid spring (Early October at blockhill).
Fruiting after 4 years
Nitrogen fixer.
Highly-scented white flowers in autumn followed by orange-red edible fruit mid spring (Early October at blockhill).
Fruiting after 4 years
Nitrogen fixer.
Flowers
White
Diameter
5.00
Height (m)
5
Forest layer
shrub
Drought tolerance
Edible
Evergreen
Fruit / berries
Nitrogen fixer
Perennial
Shade / Sun
Full shade to full sun
Soil type
Most
Wind tolerance
Maritime exposure
Cornelian Cherry
Botanical name
Cornus mas
Family
Cornaceae
Details
A deciduous shrub or small tree growing 3–7 meters tall, valued for its early yellow flowers (August–September in the southern hemisphere) and tart, vitamin C-rich red fruits (ripening February–April). Its fruits are versatile, used fresh or in jams, syrups, and traditional medicine, while its hard wood is valued for crafting. Low-maintenance and multi-functional, it’s ideal for sustainable garden systems.
Propagation is by seeds (requiring cold stratification), cuttings, or layering. In a forest garden, it functions as an understory tree, providing early nectar for pollinators, edible fruits for humans and wildlife, and leaf litter that enriches the soil.
Propagation is by seeds (requiring cold stratification), cuttings, or layering. In a forest garden, it functions as an understory tree, providing early nectar for pollinators, edible fruits for humans and wildlife, and leaf litter that enriches the soil.
Diameter
4.00
Forest layer
low-tree
Height (m)
5
Flowers
Yellow
Edible
Fruit / berries
Perennial
Shade / Sun
Sun to part shade
Soil type
Most types, prefers moist site
Wind tolerance
Strong winds
Black Mulberry
Details
The edible fruit is dark purple, almost black, when ripe, 2–3 centimetres long
Common name
Mulberry
Botanical name
Morus nigra
Family
Moraceae
Height (m)
12
Forest layer
low-tree
Edible
Fruit / berries
Wind tolerance
Low
Shade / Sun
Full sun - part shade
Soil type
Sandy to Clay
Elaeagnus multiflora
Common name
Goumi, Cherry silverberry
Botanical name
Elaeagnus multiflora
Family
Elaeagnaceae
Details
All round great plant for most locations and food forest installations
Diameter
2.00
Forest layer
low-tree
Height (m)
3
Drought tolerance
Edible
Fruit / berries
Jugulone tolerance
Nitrogen fixer
Perennial
Shade / Sun
Full to part sun
Soil type
Most
Propagation method
Sow pot / tray
European hazelnut
Botanical name
Corylus avellana
Family
Betulaceae
Details
Broadly columnar, deciduous. Very edible hazel nuts in March with yellow autumn leaves in April. Make great windbreaks yielding nuts, small poles and rods. Coppice readily.
Wind pollinated (not self fertile)
Frost hardy
Wind pollinated (not self fertile)
Frost hardy
Diameter
3.00
Height (m)
5
Forest layer
low-tree
Jugulone tolerance
Seeds / nuts / tubers
Soil type
Most (prefers moist)
Wind tolerance
High
Propagation method
Sow pot / tray
Sweet Bay Tree, Bay Laurel, Bay Leaf
Common name
Sweet Bay Tree, Bay Laurel, Bay Leaf
Date
July 15, 2013
Details
This is the true "Laurel" of the ancients now grown for its aromatic foliage - used in cooking - and, as it stands clipping well, for formal use outside hotel entrances and the like. Good hedging plant and hardy throughout the British Isles.
Family
Lauraceae
Forest layer
Tree, Shrub, Hedging
Botanical name
Laurus nobilis
Perennial
How to take cuttings
Growing new plants can be as simple as cutting a small piece off the original plant and poking it in the ground.
In many cases however more care is required and it helps to take the appropriate age wood at the correct time of the year and then provide the suitable conditions to ensure it grows its own roots.
In many cases however more care is required and it helps to take the appropriate age wood at the correct time of the year and then provide the suitable conditions to ensure it grows its own roots.