1)LOOK FOR EVERGREENS AS YEW, HOLLY, JUNIPER ETC
2)THERE ARE SOME PLANT PROPAGATED BY HARDWOOD CUTTING I WOULD CONSIDER GRAPES BUT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS
3) THERE ALSO PLANTS PROPAGATED BY ROOT CUTTINGS BE SURE TO INCLUDE SASAFRAS BUT AGAIN THERE ARE MANY OTHERS.
4)ITS EASER TO SAY IF ITS A GOOD IDEA OR NOT IF YOU ASK ABOUT PLANTS ..YOU.. WISH TO GROW

I'd like to try my hand at rose cuttings. I posted about this in the Rose forum to see how it is done in a cold frame.

I am interested in cuttings of plants that will root in a cold frame overwinter or fussy seeds that need stratification such as primula, pieris, lilies, irises, franklinia, ajuga, calycanthus, rhododendron, helleborus, peonies, and so on. I think I know what I am looking for in the way of seed (any more ideas would be great!), but I am at a bit of a loss about cuttings. I am thinking of evergreen plants such as Juniper, yew, rhododendron, azalea, laurel, pieris, and others that I haven't heard of. I am trying to figure out what flowering/pretty foliage shrubs, vines, trees will root well in a cold frame with the cutting method.

My garden is partly shady, some spots are mostly shady, and then some other spots get hot afternoon sun. I am looking for plants that will do well for these conditions, but I am also interested in just growing plants for trade or my local nursery. I don't necessarily need a spot in my garden for them.

I want to experiment mostly and have some fun and learn stuff!

Bernadette

Is it possible to add a heating pad to bottom heat your cuttings? Most cuttings will benefit. For the woody plants and trees I have found " The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation" by Michael Dirr and Charles Heuser to be a great help. I start lots of dormant cuttings by burying them in damp compost over the winter. Al

"[s]tart lots of dormant cuttings by burying them in damp compost over the winter."

My college textbook suggested burying them upside down in a damp medium over the winter. The professor said this was the way early settlers moved grapes over great distances and many months. Nobody talks of this anymore. Perhaps it was all folklore.

Grapes are really easy to root and there are several really tasty grapes that will grow in zone 5. They like some hot summer sun, so your sunny area sounds about right.

Blueberries can be started from cuttings.

Hardy hibiscus will grow in zone 5 and it will start from cuttings, as will honeysuckle.

Willow trees are very easy, but big trees, so how many willows could you use?

There are roses for zone 5. I've never been able to get them to root, but other people don't seem to have any trouble with them.

Rosa Rugosa starts from cuttings.

I just lay my dormant cuttings horizontal in damp mix, in a bundle keeping like ends together. When I think roots may have grown I uncover and take a look. Those with roots at least an inch long I pot up, the rest are covered again. Al

Al, I would like to try this on Coral Bark Japanese maples. A friend likes little sticks to bonsai. How deep do you bury them? I am guessing pencil size would be smallest that will work? Do you put them buried in a shady spot or a sunny spot? What is expected wait time? pw