I can propagate endless lavender, rosemary, geraniums…anything that doesn’t require rooting hormone. But I have never had success with shrub cuttings dipped in rooting hormone and started in potting mix: zero success with boxwood, forsythia hybrids, roses, etc. I turn away sadly from those stories of people who planted an entire boxwood hedge from one shrub…or from their neighbor’s castoff prunings.

But now, NOW, I’m ready to try again! I’m going to try your sand method. I would love to start roses, Lynwood forsythia (does not root easily like the old standard forsythia), mandevilla to bring inside for the winter for the following summer…oh, the list is endless! I have sand in the garage. You don’t mention rooting hormone, so I’m going without it, just as you said.

Thank you very much for sharing this. It is a deep delight to see one’s own cuttings take root and come to life. I have restored hope.

I’ve been watching eBay and Amazon for George R. Briggs for over a year. Once there was one copy on Amazon for about $100! Now there’s an OCR copy, which doesn’t seem worth $20, unproofed…but I might do it eventually, anyway.

Several of your recommended books I just ordered from the library. Your gardening posts are truly enchanting and inspire me, so I certainly trust and appreciate your gardening book recommendations.

Thank you, Lanier.

Oh, what a lovely spring day here today!!! Earlier this week, I pulled down all the heavier curtains for cleaning and storage, and now there are crisp white muslin short-drapes billowing in the breeze, which nicely accompany tea, and those slightly aching muscles from yesterday’s tree-planting.