Dogwood, Cornus sanguinea, is typically grown for winter colour, when its red, leafless stems shine like beacons in the bare winter garden. It looks fantastic when planted with evergreen shrubs, and among spring flowers. However dogwood also makes a fantastic wildlife shrub and can be grown into a hedge alongside other wildlife-friendly plants such as hawthorn and hazel.
Take dogwood cuttings in summer so they can root outside in a cold frame and put on enough growth to be planted the following autumn. Choose strong shoots of the current season’s growth and push them into gritty, moist compost. Keep them in a sheltered spot such as a cold frame and check them regularly, watering them occasionally to keep the soil moist. Plant the rooted cuttings out just over a year later, in autumn.
A sharp pair of secateurs is the right tool for this task. If you’re looking to update your kit, our experts have been busy testing the best secateurs, so you can buy with confidence.
Watch our video, above, where Joe Swift demonstrates how to prune and take hardwood cuttings from dogwoods. And follow our step-by-step demonstration, below, for detailed advice on taking dogwood cuttings.
Propagating dogwood trees can be a fun and rewarding way to get beautiful blossoming trees for your landscape With their showy spring flowers and attractive fall foliage, dogwood trees (Cornus spp) are a popular choice for gardens and landscapes. The good news is they can be relatively easy to propagate at home using a few different methods. In this complete guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to successfully propagate dogwood trees.
Overview of Propagation Methods
There are four main methods that can be used to propagate dogwood trees:
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Taking cuttings – This involves taking a cutting from a parent tree and rooting it to create a new plant Cuttings can be done in either soil or water
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Seeds – Collecting and germinating seeds from a dogwood tree.
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Air layering – Rooting a branch while it’s still attached to the parent tree.
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Grafting – Joining a cutting or bud to an established rootstock plant
For home gardeners, the easiest methods are generally taking cuttings or starting from seeds. Grafting requires more specialized skills and equipment. Air layering is also possible but takes more time.
In this guide, we’ll focus on cuttings and seeds since those are the most accessible methods for propagation at home.
When to Propagate Dogwood
Timing is an important factor when propagating dogwoods. Cuttings are generally taken in late spring to early summer when new growth is tender but firm. Seeds can be collected in fall when fruits are ripe.
For cuttings:
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The best time is generally late spring to early summer, around May-June in most climates.
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Look for new shoots that are no longer soft and pliable but still a bit tender.
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Older wood that is stiff or woody is less likely to root well.
For seeds:
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Collect seeds in fall when fruits are ripe, around October-November in most regions.
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Clean pulp from the seeds right away and refrigerate for stratification.
Following the proper timing will give you the freshest, most vigorous plant material for the best chance of success.
Taking Dogwood Cuttings
Taking cuttings from an existing dogwood tree is a simple and effective way to propagate new trees. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Selecting Cuttings
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Look for healthy stems that are about 6-8 inches long.
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Choose stems with new, tender growth.
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Avoid stems that are weak, damaged, or diseased.
Preparing Cuttings
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Use a clean, sharp knife or pruners to detach the cuttings.
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Make a straight cut right below a leaf node.
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Remove leaves from the lower half of the stem.
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Dip the bare end in rooting hormone to encourage root growth.
Rooting Cuttings
In soil:
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Fill small pots with a 50/50 mix of peat and perlite.
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Poke a hole and insert the cutting. Firm soil around it.
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Water well and allow excess to drain.
In water:
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Place cutting ends in jars of clean water, changing the water every few days.
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Add a little soil to the water after a week.
Caring for Cuttings
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Keep soil moist but not saturated.
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Maintain water level in water rooting.
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Provide bright indirect light.
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Watch for root growth in 2-8 weeks.
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Transplant to larger pots or the ground once rooted.
Propagating Dogwoods from Seeds
Growing dogwood trees from seed is a bit more time consuming but can offer greater diversity. Here are some tips for success:
Collecting Seeds
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Gather ripe dogwood fruits in fall when they turn glossy red.
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Remove the fleshy pulp and rinse seeds clean.
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Dry seeds for 1-2 days and inspect for any damage.
Stratifying Seeds
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Dogwood seeds need cold stratification to break dormancy.
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Mix seeds with damp peat or sand and place in bags in the fridge.
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Stratify for 3-4 months at 33-45°F.
Sowing Seeds
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Fill pots with loose, well-draining soilless mix.
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Sow seeds just under the surface.
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Cover pots with plastic to retain moisture.
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Keep soil evenly moist and provide bright indoor light.
Germination
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Most seeds should germinate in 2-4 months indoors.
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Thin seedlings to strongest 2-3 per pot.
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Transplant outdoors when frosts have passed.
Caring for Young Dogwood Trees
Caring properly for newly propagated dogwood trees will give them the best start:
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Harden off young trees before transplanting outdoors.
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Choose a site with partial sun and well-draining soil.
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Water thoroughly after transplant and as needed.
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Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring.
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Prune only lightly in first 2-3 years.
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Watch for pest/disease issues and treat promptly.
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Protect from winter injury the first couple seasons.
With the proper care, your propagated dogwood trees should establish well and thrive.
Troubleshooting Propagation Problems
Dogwood propagation doesn’t always go perfectly. Here are some potential issues and how to resolve them:
Cuttings failing to root:
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Use younger, more flexible growth.
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Take cuttings earlier in season.
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Ensure proper moisture levels in soil/water.
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Apply fresh rooting hormone and re-cut end.
Cutting wilting or rotting:
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Don’t overwater cuttings. Allow soil to partially dry between waterings.
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Provide airflow and use very porous rooting mix.
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Move to brighter location or provide supplemental lighting.
Seeds not germinating:
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Check for seed viability by float testing in water. Discard floaters.
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Did seeds receive full stratification period in the fridge? Give more time.
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Ensure soil mix doesn’t dry out. Seeds need consistent moisture.
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Try scarifying seeds with sandpaper to reduce hardness.
Final Thoughts
Propagating your own dogwood trees is very rewarding, and the methods covered here give you multiple options to find success. Pay close attention to timing, material selection, proper care, and troubleshooting to overcome challenges. With some patience and practice, you’ll be enjoying gorgeous homegrown dogwoods before you know it!
Step 1[image id=”93683″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” align=”none” title=”How to take dogwood cuttings – taking dogwood cuttings” alt=”How to take dogwood cuttings – taking dogwood cuttings” classes=””] How to take dogwood cuttings – taking dogwood cuttings
Cut the strongest shoots of this season’s growth and immediately put them in a polythene bag to protect them from moisture loss.
Step 2[image id=”93684″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” align=”none” title=”How to take dogwood cuttings – trimming each cutting” alt=”How to take dogwood cuttings – trimming each cutting” classes=””] How to take dogwood cuttings – trimming each cutting
Make each cutting with a bud at the base and the lower leaves removed.
How to Grow Dogwood Trees from Cuttings | Plant Propagation Technique for Rooting Dogwood Cuttings
FAQ
Can you grow a dogwood tree from cuttings?
- Softwood Cuttings (Summer): Take cuttings from new, soft growth in the summer.
- Hardwood Cuttings (Fall/Early Spring): You can also propagate dogwood from hardwood cuttings taken in the fall or early spring when the plant is dormant.
Will dogwood cuttings root in water?
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Success Rate:Dogwood cuttings, particularly red twig dogwood, are known for their ability to root in water.
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Timing:The best time to take dogwood cuttings for propagation is during the dormant season, from early autumn to early spring.
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Water Propagation:
- Place the cuttings in a clean container with about 2-3 inches of water.
- Ensure the buds are pointing upwards.
- Keep the container in an area with natural light, but out of direct sunlight.
- Refill and refresh the water as needed.
- Roots should start to grow within a week or two.
- Place the cuttings in a clean container with about 2-3 inches of water.
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Soil Propagation:Once the roots have developed, you can transfer the cuttings to containers with potting soil.
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Rooting Hormone:While not always necessary, applying a rooting hormone to the cut end of the stem can help stimulate new growth.
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Willow Water:Another option is to soak the cut end of the dogwood cutting in water with a willow cutting for 24-48 hours, as willow releases chemicals that behave like rooting hormones.
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Planting:Once rooted, plant the cuttings in a location with moist but well-drained soil, keeping the area well-watered.
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Other Tips:
- Make sure the cuttings are turgid (soak them in water for 1-3 hours).
- Cut the stems into 6-inch sections with the bottom cut made just below a node.
- Keep the cuttings in a plastic sack or pail of water as you work to prevent them from drying out.
- Stick the cuttings so that less than 25% is above ground.
- Make sure the cuttings are turgid (soak them in water for 1-3 hours).
Can you grow a dogwood tree from a limb?
Dogwood is relatively easy to propagate. In the summer, cut branches of new growth (softwood cuttings) 3 to 5 inches long. Strip the bottoms of the branches of leaves, dip them in rooting hormone, and insert them into pots filled with potting soil. Don’t let any leaves touch the soil.
What time of year do you take dogwood cuttings?
Knowing when to take cuttings of dogwood stems can mean the difference between successful propagation and failure. The best time to cut is in the spring, as soon as the tree completes its bloom cycle. You know the stem is ready to cut if it snaps when you bend it in half.
How to propagate dogwood cuttings?
Propagating dogwood cuttings is easy and inexpensive. You can easily make enough trees for your own landscape, and a few more to share with friends. For the home gardener, the easiest and fastest method of dogwood tree propagation is taking softwood cuttings. Find out how to grow dogwood cuttings in this article.
How does dogwood tree propagation work?
Here’s how it works. Propagating dogwood cuttings is easy and inexpensive. You can easily make enough trees for your own landscape, and a few more to share with friends. For the home gardener, the easiest and fastest method of dogwood tree propagation is taking softwood cuttings.
How do you grow a dogwood tree from a cutting?
Propagating dogwood trees from cuttings in soil is a common and relatively easy method. This involves taking a cutting from a healthy dogwood tree, preparing it properly, and then planting it in a pot of soil where it can develop roots and grow into a new tree. In late spring or early summer, take a 6-8 inch cutting from a healthy dogwood tree.
When is the best time to propagate dogwood trees?
The best time to propagate dogwood trees from cuttings is in the spring or early summer, when new growth is actively forming. This is because the cuttings will have a better chance of rooting if they are taken from healthy, actively growing stems. Tips for propagating dogwood trees from cuttings
Can dogwood trees be propagated?
How to Propagate Dogwood Trees Dogwood trees (Cornus spp.) are beautiful, deciduous trees that are prized for their showy flowers, colorful leaves, and ornamental bark. They are relatively easy to grow from seed, but they can also be propagated from cuttings.
How long does it take to grow a dogwood tree?
Root formation takes 4-12 weeks. Avoid disturbing cuttings until new roots establish. With proper timing, care, and patience, propagating dogwood trees from stem cuttings is a rewarding, inexpensive way increase your stock of these spectacular ornamental trees. When its time to plant, think precision.