I would wait to take cuttings just as spring is beginning to break, about late March for you. When the forsythia are in full bloom, take your cuttings of last year's growth from these shrubs. They're evergreen, but the weather will be right. Stick the cuttings in containers, cover them, but make sure they get some air. Put them in a semi shady spot where they won't get direct sunlight at all. Dusting with hormone will help. It can take 4-8 months to root these. Be sure to keep them watered and in the shade all summer. Make sure they don't dry out even once.

Forsythia, on the other hand, can be stuck just as the flowers are coming on. Stick them in the ground where you want them to grow making sure they are about 12" deep. Just an FYI.

Oh thank you, Tom! That info was exactly what I was looking for. Any other tips you could give would be greatly appreciated (whether a rule-of-thumb, or FYI)

You should post about the current or upcoming things to propagate (from cuttings) throughout the year, because all of us could learn alot from your experiences. Most of us don't know when to take cuttings from any given perrenial.

EG

Well, general rules of thumb are as follows.

Deciduous trees and shrubs can be propagated by sticking outdoors in protected containers right as they are starting to break bud. Make cuttings 6-12" long. Make sure two leaf nodes are below the soil line. Dust with rooting hormone. Should be able to plant in the fall.

Evergreens can be propagated in early spring or mid fall. They are the longest to root and need protection from drying winter winds and summer heat. Never let them overheat in their containers, but don't worry if they freeze. If you have a shed *hint hint*, you can use a little bottom heat to get them rooted quicker. They need about a year to establish in pots before planting out.

Roses should be propagated using a cane that has just bloomed. Cut all but the top leaves. Stick in sandy, well draining soil. Cover and keep humid.

Perennials can be propagated by division after they are 1 year old, or by taking cuttings of fresh new growth in early summer. Stick, shade, cover. Keep moist. Can be planted out in the fall.

Any specific plants, I'll let you know if I've done them.

Token - cool! I'm gonna have to print this stuff off. Thanks!

EG

Some or many overgrown shrubs can be hacked back to the ground and allowed to regrow. I'm pretty sure forsythia is one. You can look up each one to check, or ask on the shrub forum.

My mom is not a big fan of forsythia, but she has a few bushes and every year in early spring she cuts it back to the ground. She did so last year and I took a few of those cuttings home, dusted with rooting hormone and stuck it in the ground by the house (every other place was still frozen) and it rooted with zero care! this year I will try that with red twig doogwood, but maybe I'll try to give it some care too.

anuta, redtwig dogwood roots easily in water too.