Winter is a great time to uncover the hidden potential in your garden. While many plants take a break for the season, it’s the perfect opportunity to plan and get a head start on spring growth. This is especially true for berry bushes like blueberries, currants, raspberries, and more. You can start these from cuttings during the winter months.
Taking cuttings from hardwood or semi-hardwood branches, removing any leaves, and then storing or planting them right away helps the new plant stay similar to the original in less time than growing from seeds. However, this method still takes some patience – the bushes typically need to be at least a year old, and the cuttings may require refrigeration over winter to meet chilling requirements.
Using hardwood increases the chances of proper root development, but you can improve success by taking cuttings from parts of the plant that thrived during the growing season. Applying rooting hormone can also help. Make sure to plant the cuttings in well-draining potting mix and keep the soil consistently moist during rooting.
Blueberry
Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) are perennial bushes grown for their delicious summer fruit. The best way to start them from cuttings is to use segments of pliable semi-hardwood during the winter dormancy period. Store the cuttings in peat moss in the fridge until spring, then root them in a sandy growing mix. Blueberries thrive in acidic soil with a low pH, and healthy plants can remain productive for decades.
Blackcurrant
Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) bushes are an easy-to-grow option for beginner propagators. But before planting, check your local regulations – some areas restrict growing currants and related plants to protect pine trees from disease. Bundle 6- to 8-inch stem segments and store them in vermiculite until spring. You can also try taking and storing root pieces from 2-3 year old bushes.
Gooseberry
Cold climates are perfect for growing gooseberry (Ribes grossularia) bushes. These 3-5 foot plants yield tart, colorful berries that make delicious jams and jellies. Take root pieces or 6-8 inch stem cuttings in winter and store them until planting. But check your state’s regulations – some, like North Carolina, ban growing gooseberries and currants to protect trees.
Raspberry
You can start new raspberry (Rubus idaeus) plants from the cuttings left over after pruning. Just remove any remaining leaves, scratch the bottom of the branches, and plant the cuttings densely in potting mix. Transplant them to larger containers or your garden when spring arrives.
Blackberry
Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) bushes are dormant in winter, making it the perfect time to take cuttings and propagate them. The process is simple – just cut off stems, remove leaves, and plant them in potting mix. To help remember which end is up, make a diagonal cut on the bottom before planting. Blackberries grow best in USDA Zones 5-9.
Elderberry
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is one of the easiest berry bushes for beginners to propagate. To get a new plant started, take 6-inch segments from the canes and either plant them in potting soil or refrigerate and store for spring planting. Make sure the cuttings have 2-4 nodes, and cover the lower nodes with the rooting soil.
Sloe
Sloe (Prunus spinosa), also called blackthorn, can be grown from cuttings to produce more of its edible drupes, which are used like berries in jams and drinks. Cut off 8-inch branches with any attached leaves and stick them in a pot of soil to root. Wait until autumn when the fruits turn purplish-black to pick them.
Beautyberry
While its berries aren’t edible for humans, beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is a beautiful ornamental. In winter, cut off 5-8 inch hardwood pieces, dip them in rooting hormone, and plant them in a rooting medium like potting soil with peat moss. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
Red currant
Red currant (Ribes rubrum) bushes can also be grown from hardwood cuttings taken in winter, similar to gooseberries and blackcurrants. But be aware of growing restrictions in some states – for example, Massachusetts requires a permit. Cut off branches from the previous season, then refrigerate the cuttings or plant them directly in a light potting mix.
Coralberry
If you’re interested in berry bushes for ornamental reasons and to feed wildlife, consider growing coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus). Take semi-hardwood branches from the current year and either store them in perlite or plant them directly in potting mix to get more of these zone 3-9 plants that bear bright red winter berries.
