Winterberry plants (Ilex verticillata) are best propagated through softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer, treated with rooting hormone, and rooted under mist or in a humid environment.
Here’s a more detailed guide:
1. Timing and Plant Selection:
- Best Time: Late spring to midsummer is ideal for taking softwood cuttings.
- Plant Selection: Choose cuttings from a mature, female winterberry plant that has produced berries for at least a season.
- Suckers: Winterberry plants can also spread by suckers (new shoots from the roots), which can be dug up and replanted.
2. Taking Cuttings:
- Stem Selection: Select 2-3 inch stem tips from new growth.
- Cutting: Use clean sheers or pruners to trim the stem tips.
- Leaf Removal: Remove all but the top pair of leaves on each stem.
- Rooting Hormone: Dip the cut end of the stem into rooting hormone.