Master Gardener

Are you interested in adding plants to your landscape without adding additional costs to your budget? Learning to propagate plants can help you achieve that goal.

Different propagation techniques are suited for different times of the year. Hardwood stem cuttings are ideal for this time of year because deciduous plants have dropped their leaves and the wood has entered dormancy. During this phase, the plant’s energy is focused on root development.

Red-osier dogwood, ocean spray, osoberry, mock-orange, salmonberry and elderberries are examples of native shrubs that propagate well using hardwood cuttings.

Steps to successful hardwood propagation

■ Sanitize tools: Clean pruning shears with a bleach wipe to avoid spreading disease.

■ Select suitable shoots: Use shoots from the previous year’s growth. Choose shoots growing from the center of the plant or near the ground, as these generally root well. Cut just above a leaf node (nodes are where leaf buds are attached to the stem) to help the donor plant heal. Take only 5% of the branch for cuttings. Always obtain permission before collecting cuttings.

■ Prepare the cuttings: After cleaning your shears again, cut the branches into pieces with 2 to 4 leaf nodes, generally about 6 inches long. Make the bottom cut at a 45-degree angle and the top cut straight across to distinguish the top from the bottom.

■ Continue cutting: Create cuttings that are at least the size of a pencil until the branch becomes too thin or you run out of material.

■ Store cuttings: If you cannot plant the cuttings immediately, store them in your refrigerator in a plastic bag with damp sawdust. Label the bag with the plant’s name.

■ Plant the cuttings: When ready to plant, wet the bottom end of the cutting and dip it into rooting hormone to stimulate root production. Place the cuttings, with the straight-cut end up, into a well-draining pot. Ensure that only one or two nodes protrude above the soil. Keep the soil moist.

■ Provide proper care: If kept indoors, maintain a cool and humid environment for the cuttings. If placed outside, protect them from freezing temperatures, wind and full sun.

■ Transplanting: After their first growing season, the cuttings should be established and ready to plant in their permanent location.

If you would like to learn more about propagation techniques and various gardening topics, consider attending the Through the Garden Gate series. The six-session workshop will be on Saturday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to noon, starting Jan. 25. For more information and to register, go to extension.wsu.edu/mason/through-the-garden-gate.

■ Mary Dessel is a Mason County WSU Master Gardener. She has a special interest in growing and propagating native plants as a food source for pollinators.