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Taking cuttings from dogwood is a simple and rewarding way to propagate new shrubs for your garden.
If you’ve been wondering how to take cuttings from dogwood, the process is very doable for gardeners of any skill level.
You can take cuttings from dogwood using softwood stems in late spring or hardwood stems in late autumn, and both methods work well.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to take cuttings from dogwood, the best timing for each type, and the secrets to helping those cuttings root successfully.
Let’s dig in and get your new dogwood shrubs started.
How to Take Cuttings from Dogwood: The Basics
When you learn how to take cuttings from dogwood, you’ll find that the plant is incredibly forgiving and eager to root.
Dogwood cuttings root best when you take them from healthy, disease-free parent plants that are showing vigorous growth.
The two main methods for taking cuttings from dogwood are softwood cuttings and hardwood cuttings, and each has its own ideal season.
Here’s what you need to know about both approaches so you can pick the right one for your garden.
1. Softwood Cuttings for Summer Success
Taking cuttings from dogwood in late spring to early summer is the softwood method, and it’s perfect for gardeners who want faster results.
Softwood stems are the new growth that’s still flexible and green, not yet woody or bark-covered.
When you take cuttings from dogwood at this stage, they root quickly because the cells are still actively dividing and ready to form new roots.
To start, choose a morning when the plant is well-hydrated, then snip a 4- to 6-inch section of stem just below a leaf node.
Strip off the lower leaves, leaving just two or three at the top, and dip the cut end in rooting hormone for an extra boost.
Plant the cutting in moist potting mix, cover it with a clear plastic bag to create humidity, and place it in bright, indirect light.
Keep the soil consistently damp but not soggy, and you should see roots forming within three to four weeks.
2. Hardwood Cuttings for Winter Hardiness
If you prefer to take cuttings from dogwood during the dormant season, hardwood cuttings are the way to go.
Hardwood cuttings are taken in late autumn or winter after the leaves have fallen and the stems have fully matured and turned woody.
When you take cuttings from dogwood this way, you’re using the plant’s stored energy, which makes this method incredibly reliable.
Cut a pencil-thick stem that’s about 8 to 10 inches long, making a clean cut just below a bud at the base and just above a bud at the top.
Make sure you keep track of which end is up, as planting them upside down will stop rooting entirely.
Dip the bottom end in rooting hormone, then insert the cutting two-thirds deep into a pot filled with sandy, well-draining soil.
Place the pot in a cold frame, unheated greenhouse, or a sheltered spot outdoors where it won’t freeze solid.
By spring, you’ll notice buds swelling and new growth, which means your hardwood cuttings from dogwood have successfully rooted.
3. Choosing the Right Parent Plant
Your success with taking cuttings from dogwood starts with picking the perfect parent plant to work from.
Look for a dogwood that’s healthy, shows no signs of pests or disease, and has strong, straight stems for the best results.
Avoid taking cuttings from dogwood that’s stressed, drought-stricken, or showing yellowing leaves, as these weak stems rarely root.
Also, steer clear of flowering branches, because energy goes to blooms instead of root development when you take cuttings from dogwood.
Instead, choose vegetative shoots that are growing vigorously, as these have the highest concentration of rooting potential.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Take Cuttings from Dogwood
Now that you know the two main types, let’s break down exactly how to take cuttings from dogwood in a simple step-by-step process.
This guide works for both softwood and hardwood, so just adjust the timing based on the season.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Before you take cuttings from dogwood, get everything ready so the stems don’t dry out while you work.
You’ll need sharp, clean pruning shears, rooting hormone powder, small pots, a well-draining potting mix, and a clear plastic bag.
Sterilize your shears with rubbing alcohol to prevent transferring any diseases to the fresh cuts when you take cuttings from dogwood.
Also, prepare your pots by filling them with moist soil and making a hole with a pencil for each cutting you plan to insert.
Step 2: Make the Cut
When you’re ready to take cuttings from dogwood, always cut at a 45-degree angle just below a leaf node.
This angled cut increases the surface area for rooting and helps the cutting absorb water more efficiently.
For softwood cuttings, your stem should be about 4 to 6 inches long and snap cleanly when bent.
For hardwood cuttings, aim for 8 to 10 inches and look for stems that are firm and woody with visible buds.
Once you make the cut, immediately place the stem in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel to keep it hydrated.
Step 3: Prepare and Plant the Cuttings
Right before planting, remove the lower leaves from your softwood cuttings, leaving only the top two or three leaves intact.
For hardwood cuttings, you don’t need to remove leaves since they’re already dormant, just ensure you have buds present.
Dip the bottom inch of each stem into rooting hormone powder and tap off any excess to avoid over-application.
Insert the cutting into the pre-made hole in your potting mix, firm the soil around it gently to remove air pockets.
Water the pot thoroughly after you take cuttings from dogwood and let it drain completely before covering.
Step 4: Provide the Right Environment
After you take cuttings from dogwood, the environment you provide will make or break your rooting success.
Softwood cuttings need high humidity, so cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or place it in a propagation dome.
Keep them in bright, indirect light out of direct sun, as too much heat will cook the tender cuttings quickly.
Hardwood cuttings need cool but not freezing conditions, so a cold frame or protected outdoor spot works perfectly.
Check the soil moisture regularly, keeping it slightly damp but never waterlogged, and remove any fallen leaves promptly.
Common Mistakes When You Take Cuttings from Dogwood
Even with the best intentions, gardeners often make a few classic errors when learning how to take cuttings from dogwood.
Avoiding these pitfalls will dramatically increase your success rate and help your cuttings thrive.
Here are the top mistakes to watch out for when you take cuttings from dogwood.
1. Letting Cuttings Dry Out
One of the biggest mistakes is allowing your cuttings to dry out before you even get them planted.
The moment you take cuttings from dogwood, the stems start losing moisture through the leaves and exposed cut.
Keep them in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel at all times between cutting and planting.
Work quickly and prepare your pots beforehand so you can plant each cutting within minutes of snipping it.
2. Using Poor Soil or Overwatering
When you take cuttings from dogwood, soil that holds too much water will cause the stems to rot before they root.
Always use a well-draining mix like perlite mixed with peat moss or a commercial cutting compost.
Overwatering is just as deadly as drying out, so water only when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Good drainage is key, so make sure your pots have plenty of holes and never let them sit in standing water.
3. Skipping Rooting Hormone
While dogwood can root without it, using rooting hormone makes a huge difference when you take cuttings from dogwood.
Rooting hormone contains auxins that stimulate root cell division and greatly speed up the rooting process.
It also helps protect the cut end from fungal infections that thrive in damp soil conditions.
You’ll see stronger, more abundant roots and a higher percentage of cuttings that survive when you use it.
So, How Do You Take Cuttings from Dogwood for Best Results?
Taking cuttings from dogwood is an easy and affordable way to multiply your favorite shrubs without spending a dime.
You can take cuttings from dogwood in summer using softwood stems for quick rooting or in winter using hardwood stems for dormancy.
The key steps are choosing a healthy parent plant, making clean cuts at the right length, and providing proper moisture and humidity.
Avoid the common mistakes of drying out, overwatering, and skipping rooting hormone, and you’ll see great success.
So, if you’ve been thinking about how to take cuttings from dogwood, grab your shears and give it a try this season.
Your garden will thank you with beautiful, new dogwood shrubs that cost you nothing but a little time and care.