Updated at: 13-05-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Boxwood cutting propagation is a simple process, although it does necessitate some patience. To get a hedge out of boxwoods, you’ll need at least three years of patience, but you’ll save money in the long run.

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It’s May, and I’m trying to get my garden in better shape. I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that I like an untidy and informal approach to gardening. My personal preference is for a more ramshackle cottage garden.

Despite this, I find myself yearning for a little more structure in my life. I believe I can pull it off with some winter-proof greenery to keep things interesting even when nothing else is blooming. As far as I’m concerned, I’m not going to use any stiff straight lines.

Because of its many uses, boxwood (Buxus) is one of my favorite trees. Many kinds may be sculpted into topiary and preserve their green hue over the winter.

A boxwood hedge not only adds a touch of order to the garden without being overbearing, but it is also resistant to deer.

easy Propagate Boxwood with cuttings - Flower Patch Farmhouse

If you want a good hedge, you’ll need a lot of boxwood planted, and that can get expensive quickly. So, what does a frugal gardener have to do?

Take cuttings from an existing boxwood and grow a ton of them for future use.

Please only use non-patented boxwoods. Also, consider cat pee-free boxwood cultivars for your landscaping. (Usually English boxwoods are the source of the foul odor)

When to Take Boxwood Cuttings

When you trim your boxwood shrubs in the spring, this is an excellent time to start boxwood cuttings. Trimmings will yield dozens of cuttings, if not more. Pruning in the late Summer and early fall (usually in mid-September)

Begin by selecting a healthy boxwood, which happens to be in a pot.

As you can see, this Winter Gem Boxwood is bursting with new life. The new growth is a darker shade of green than the preceding one.

Cutting material can be made from the new growth.

How to take Box Cuttings to propagate

If you’re just getting started, do what I did and take cuttings from a great potted one.

Cut a 4- to 6-inch new growth stem from the boxwood plant using sharp pruners or a knife. Pruning using a pair of pruners is a popular method, however others argue it inhibits roots. After removing the cutting from the plant, you have the option of re-slicing with a sharp knife.

Starting Boxwood Cuttings

Boxwood cuttings aren’t as simple to grow as your usual perennial in the garden.

Make sure to take a few extra cuttings in case some of them fail to root.

To get started with cutting propagation, you’ll need the following:

Sharpening a knife Rooting hormones a large twist-tie plastic bag Pots refilled with hygienic, new soil for planting

Taking boxwood cuttings in the middle of summer allows you to get the stems at the perfect stage for transplanting. Snip off the new growth’s 3- to 4-inch (7.5-10 cm) tips with a sharp knife. If you use pruning tools, you’ll end up damaging your plants by making it difficult for them to absorb water when they need it the most.

Select stems that are free of insect damage and discolouration before cutting them. You must remove the tips from healthy and vigorous plants in order to successfully root your boxwood cuttings

When cutting stems, it is advisable to do so in the morning.

Prepare boxwood cutting to root

Pinching/stripping the leaves off creates a new area for roots. As a result, I believe that using pruners instead of a sharp knife is easier because the stem is opened up a little more.

It’s better to remove leaves by pinching them off rather than ripping them off the stem, which might cause damage to the stem. I am not always that careful and have not had issues yet but thought you may like to know that.

In order to avoid damaging the stem, it is best to pinch the leaves off rather than pull them off. The truth is that I’m not always as careful as I should be, but I thought you’d like to know that for your own benefit.

How to Propagate Boxwoods from Cuttings

When used as a single shrub or as a densely packed border, boxwoods—with their lush and vibrant green foliage—are ideal for gardens. It’s little wonder that these attractive shrubs are so popular for year-round interest and structure, given their charming compact nature.

How I Propagate Boxwood – Kevin Lee Jacobs

As an alternative to spending money on new boxes, attempt to propagate your own boxwoods if you already have any growing in your yard. It’s a cinch!

Boxwoods can be grown from cuttings by following these guidelines:

When to take boxwood cuttings: You should begin propagating boxwood in late summer or early fall, after the spring growth has begun to harden.

In order to plant the cuttings, you will need to prepare a pot. Others utilize a 50/50 mixture of well-drained soil and various soil amendments, such as sand, peat moss, or compost. Choose a pot that has drainage holes and is at least 4 inches in diameter if that’s what works best for you. Some gardeners immerse the mixture in water, then let it drain for about 10 minutes before preparing the pot for planting. It needs to be moist but not soggy.

Cuttings from strong, healthy branches, free of illness or injury, are what you’re looking for when starting a tree. The length of the cuttings should be between 4 and 6 inches. Your thumb and forefinger, a sterile knife, or a pair of gardening shears can all be used to remove the desired cutting. Remove the leaves from the bottom part of the cutting.

Once you’ve chosen your cuttings, you’ll want to stick them in the pots you’ve prepared. If you choose, you can dip the bottom of the cutting into a rooting hormone, although it’s not a need.. Afterwards, add the clippings to the pot of boiling water. You can use a stick or pencil to stabilize the plant. To construct a personal greenhouse, some gardeners recommend placing sticks or pencils around the cutting and covering them with plastic. It is, however, not essential to the success of cuttings. Remember to open the cover a few times a week so that fresh air may get in, as well as to inspect the soil.

You may tell if your cuttings have started roots within four weeks by gently tugging on the little plants. As long as they remain in one place, roots are being formed; however, if they are easily moved around, this process has not yet begun. Cuttings can be transplanted into larger containers in two weeks once the roots have begun to emerge. Your cuttings should begin rooting within three months, and they should be ready to be transplanted outside in the spring. Until then, keep them in a cool, well-ventilated area and avoid drying them out.

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Using cuttings, you can enhance your yard without having to spend more money on new plants. Ken Druse’s Horticulture’s More Free Plants Online Workshop with Ken Druse- Episode 1: Softwood cuttings teaches you how.

Using Premier Bypass Pruners, you can safely and easily cut through live material.

You will learn how to propagate perennials from root cuttings in the Smart Gardening Guide Step by Step: Propagation from Root Cuttings.

The Perennial Care Manual will help you keep your perennial beds looking their best.

Place boxwood slips into potting medium

You can prevent the rooting hormone from being withdrawn from the soil as you slip in the stem by making a hole in the dirt with a dauber (I used a sharpie back end for this step).

I add a number of clippings to the terracotta pot. I can fit four or five in my 3.5-inch pot. Firm down the earth around the stems.

Thoroughly moisten the cuttings. If you want to keep the pots moist, use a cover like I do in this post.

Farm Beginnings: Boxwood; Loving What the Deer Don't | The Real Time Farms Blog

Boxwood Propagation success

According to my research, it should only take 3 or 4 weeks for the boxwood cuttings to root, but mine take much longer.

But there are those who do. Take a look at those lush roots!

When it comes to potting up this rooted boxwood cutting, I show you exactly how I do it in my video.

Boxwood cuttings are also something I’m working on starting in my garden. If it works out, I’ll let you know.

Have you ever attempted to propagate boxwoods? What would you have done differently if you had the opportunity?

Thank you for reading this and have a wonderful time gardening!