Boxwood Roots

Posted by Kate Copsey Aug 21, 2006

Last spring (May), I took a bunch of boxwood cuttings. We had close to 30 shrubs, so I took about 200 x 4 inch cuttings. When we moved to Georgia, I set the cuttings in a perlite and potting soil mix (to make a light mixture) and put the cuttings in a shady place. Over the summer I have kept the cuttings moist, but not wet, and they have finally shown signs of rooting. Many look like they have died, but about one third are still very green and that is a good sign.

Boxwood, like any woody tree or shrub, takes time to root. Pick a new stem, or semi woody stem, and make sure that you keep them moist until they are put into a rooting medium. Most perennials will root in a matter of a few weeks but woody shrubs will take much longer. It is not unusual for them to take six or eight months to root. For some shrubs it is better to wait until the late summer to take the cutting and root it over the winter months. Although nothing will happen until spring, the natural cycle of growth will encourage roots at the same time as new spring growth.

Many people use rooting hormone compounds to help root the cutting - I have never found it necessary. One supposedly excellent compound can be found from willows. Cut a few pussy willow stems in the late winter and bring them indoors. Use the spent water to water the cuttings and it will help them to produce healthy roots quicker.