If you’re looking to grow a new elderberry bush that’s an exact match to your favorite variety, propagation by cuttings is definitely the way to go. Whether you want to get started during the sunny days of summer or the quiet of winter, I’ve got you covered. Here’s how you can grow your own elderberry plants step-by-step.
Propagating Elderberry with Softwood Cuttings in Summer
High summer is the perfect time for taking elderberry cuttings. Here’s how to do it:
- Look for a semi-ripe shoot (one that’s starting to get a little woody) that is about 6 inches long.
- Make sure it has at least two leaf nodes (those little bumps where leaves grow).
- Strip the leaves off the bottom half of the cutting and trim the remaining top leaves in half to reduce moisture loss.
- Stick the cutting into a pot filled with seed-starting mix and give it a good watering to settle the soil.
- Cover the pot with a perforated clear plastic bag to create a mini-greenhouse effect.
- Place it in a spot with partial shade.
- Once you see roots starting to peek out of the bottom of the pot, your little plant is ready for some nutrient-rich potting soil.
- Depending on how fast it grows and what the weather is like, you can move it to its permanent home in the garden by fall or the following spring.
Using Hardwood Cuttings in Winter
Many of us gardeners love to stay busy in the winter, and luckily, elderberry is great for winter propagation using hardwood cuttings. Here’s the plan:
- Pick a frost-free day in late winter and find a healthy one-year-old branch.
- You’re looking for a leafless piece about 8 inches long with several “dormant eyes” (buds).
- Cut the top of the shoot straight across and cut the bottom end at an angle.
- Stick the cutting into a pot with potting soil and keep it in a frost-free spot.
The reason we make two different types of cuts is so you don’t accidentally plant it upside down! If it’s in the ground the wrong way, it won’t grow roots. Wait to water it until you see those leaf nodes starting to sprout. Once the root system has filled the pot, your new elderberry is ready to head out into the garden.
