How to Propagate Silver Buttonwood
A great way to grow your garden or to increase the number of plants is by propagation, this method of growing your garden is so simple but gives great results. The art of propagation will not only increase the number of plants but will also help to save your hard-earned dollars.
The Conocarpus erectus commonly called the silver buttonwood is a perennial evergreen that produces silvery-colored foliage (leaves) that has a velvet-like texture along with purple berries. Their rough barks and leaves attract spiders and many insects that birds feed on. The silver buttonwood is grown as a garden or landscape ornamental plant and also as a hedge growing best within U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. To have success by propagating this garden beauty follow these simple steps.
Tips to propagate silver buttonwood
1. A good quality garden soil from your garden center or plant nursery is ideal, fill 6-inch plastic containers with this soil.
2. The ideal time of the year to propagate silver buttonwood is from late spring until summer, Attempting to propagate this shrub when it’s in full bloom will encourage the silver buttonwood to put its energy into producing flowers instead of producing a healthy root system.
3. When looking for cuttings to propagate choose branches that are healthy, branches that are chosen should be free of stress, insects, and disease.
4. Choose branches that are easy to bend and are 1/4-inch-thick, branches should have no flowers or flower bud. Cut each branch 6-inches long.
5. Each stem should be pruned 1/4 inch below a set of leaves, to see where the new roots will form and to reveal the growth nodes remove all of the leaves along the lower half of the stem.
6. The end of the cuttings that are to be planted should be dipped in root tone, root tone is a growth hormone that will stimulate or encourage your cuttings to produce a healthy root system. Root tone can either be gel, liquid, or powder If you’re using powder then dip the end of the cutting that is to be planted in water then dip the moist end in root tone. The reason for this is the water will help the powdered root tone to hold or stick to the part of the step that’s moistened.
7. With your finger make a 3-4 inch hole in the potting soil, next insert the end of the cutting with the root tone into the hole. Hold the stem with one hand in an erect position, now with the next hand fill the hole with soil. Firm the soil around the stem by gently pressing.
8. Locate an area outdoors that’s lightly shaded to place cuttings, to help your cuttings along the way and to encourage humidity and warm air place a 2-gallon plastic bag over the container. To prevent the cutting from rotting cut a hole in one end of the plastic bag for proper air circulation or airflow.
9. The soil should be moist at all times so check daily for moisture, check the first top 2 inches of soil, if the soil feels dry to the touch moisten the soil by watering. A word of caution however don’t water to the point where the soil becomes soggy or waterlogged that will lead to root rot.
10. The leaves should be misted each day, this misting will cause the leaves to stay hydrated.
11. After about a month or thereabout your cuttings should begin to develop roots.
12. Once your cuttings have developed a good root system transplant your cutting into a 1-gallon container filled with good garden soil.
13. Continue to grow your cuttings under light shade, ensure that the soil stays moist but not waterlogged, check the soil before watering. Keep watch until mid-autumn
14. Once you have gotten this far your cuttings are ready to be planted in their permanent location, choose an area that gets full sunlight.
The final word on silver buttonwood plant propagation
The silver buttonwood is a garden beauty that will bring that needed flavor to your garden or landscapes, I have worked with the silver buttonwood on many garden projects and have seen what this evergreen can do. The silver buttonwood is a must-have and will go to work for you, if what we have discussed has sparked an interest and you would love to grow your garden then following these simple steps will give you good results. I believe that the silver buttonwood has so much to offer so go for it and give this method of growing your garden a try, you will love the results.
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
Hey,
In the distant past, I had a large garden with different crops. I find the photo of the “Silver buttonwood” on your site rather unclear. I googled it and found a nice closeup (cc0). But I think I cannot add it as an attachment…
The first thing my partner said was: “Wow, it attracts spiders”… lol… Still, I think it is a very nice plant with those “velvet” leaves.
The method of implementing this shrub in your garden is thoroughly and clearly explained by you. With this “manual” you can get started right away!
To all gardeners, consider a Silver Buttonwood!
With best regards,
These plants have such a unique appearance and will beautify your garden setting. Thank you so much for your kind words and I am so happy to help. Have a good day.
Great article, very informative. I know absolutely nothing about gardening at all especially what plants are what? when to plant and how to? I do like the way that plants have alternative Latin names to them, that’s pretty cool.
You have given great insight on how to propagate the Silver Buttonwood plant and is very interesting, especially for the avid gardener.
I really didn’t know there was so much to do for one plant!!
keep writing, great article Norman
All the best.
So glad to help and thanks a million for those kind words, all the best to you.
Hi Norman,
I agree that silver buttonwood gives a tone of beauty in every garden, and I am sure that the information provided in your article will be of great use to gardening lovers.
I’m one of them, but unfortunately I don’t have a garden where I live now. But surely my mother will like the proposal to beautify her garden with silver buttonwood.
Thank you for sharing. Keep up the good work.👍
The silver buttonwood is truly amazing and can do a whole lot to enhance your garden or landscape, so good to hear that you like working with nature outdoors and that your mother loves the great outdoors as well. Wishing you all the best and have a good day!!