Daphne

Propagating Daphne can be done either by semi-hard tip cuttings in September or by layering since it is more of a woody plant and not a perennial. There are numerous varieties, standard and dwarf, but the blooms of all varieties are very fragrant and come mostly in varying shades of pink, but there is a purple variety and many have variegated leaves which also adds interest in the garden bed. Blooming periods vary according to the variety. Daphne odora or Winter Daphne, reaches a height of 3'-4' and blooms after the snow disappears but other varieties bloom later however all varieties are poisonous and prefer shade without afternoon sun. When I lived in Amherst, MA, a professor had a garden of Daphnes although not hardy per se in that zone, Zone 6 is the limit, with ample snow cover they will survive as long as they are protected against the wind. Depending on the zone they can be either semi-evergreen or evergreen and are deer resistant.

Vaccinium vitis-idaea-Lingonberry or Cowberry

Propagating Vaccinium or Cowberry can be accomplished in different ways and the most popular is by hardwood cuttings in September/November, or by digging up the plant and cutting off a piece of the root then transplant, or since it is a creeping groundcover woody plant, layering might be another option, if the soil is friable. Cowberry, which is the name used in the U.K. is in the Heath family and is similar to cranberry, its red fruit is bitter tasting, it prefers an acidic soil, like blueberry, is evergreen and hardy down to Zone 2., prefers a moist soil, bog like, in either full sun to partial shade. It has a pink bloom in June/July and grows upwards of 1' plus. I will presume it is wildlife resistant since its leaves are on the leathery side.

Polystichum acrostichoides-Christmas Fern

Propagating Polystichum or Christmas Fern should be done every 3-4 years by digging up the clump and dividing the crown. One can also propagate by collecting the fronds but that’s too much work. Like most ferns they prefer a highly organic friable soil in partial to full shade settings and grow up to 24" in height. Also like most ferns this one is deer resistant and it is hardy down to Zone 3 and evergreen as well. This is one of the most popular ferns.

Leptinella gruveri-Miniature Brass Buttons

Propagating Leptinella or Brass Buttons can be done at anytime of the year either by digging up the clump and dividing the crown or by digging up the rooted rhizomes that spread out from the parent plant. It is only hardy and evergreen in Zones 7-9 and prefers shade to partial shade that retains moisture year round because a drought may cause it to become dormant but will green up with water. Its blooms are insignificant and is used in the cracks of walkways or walls because at best reaches a height of 1" and could be used as a lawn in areas that are constantly shaded as long as there is moisture, so not under shade trees.

Dryopteris x remota-Scaly Buckler Fern

Propagating Dryopteris or Scaly Buckler Fern can be done either in the spring or fall by digging up the plant and dividing the crown with ample roots selected for transplanting. Like most ferns this one is also deer resistant, evergreen in warmer zones, hardy to Zone 4, prefers a moist well draining soil, does well in partial or full shade and reaches a height of almost 36".

Chamaemelum nobile-Creeping Chamomile

Propagating Creeping Chamomile can be accomplished either in the spring or fall by removing the stolons from the parent plant that have a good root system or by digging up the parent plant and dividing the crown. If you don’t have stolons coming out from the parent plant it could indicate that the soil is not amended to produce the growth, so add some compost or manure around the base of the plant. The blooms are fragrant, smell like apple blossoms, and bloom from May until June , flowers are daisy like with yellow centers ringed white. Creeping Chamomile reaches a height of 4"-6", is deer resistant, is evergreen in milder zones, read that it is hardy down to -40 degrees, and needs a well draining soil in full sun to partial shade.

Acorus gramineus-Sweet Flag

Propagating Acorus or Sweet Flag which is similar to Liriope, it spreads by rhizomes which can be transplanted in the spring, but unlike Liriope, Acorus is not a grass. Leaves are either green, variegated or white. Loves water but will also tolerate drought, is evergreen in warmer climates but like Liriope the tips may burn so prune back in the spring, but may not be as invasive as Liriope. Reaches a height of 10"-12".

Antennaria dioica-Pussy-toes

Propagating Antennaria or Pussy-toes is accomplished by digging up the rooted rhizomes that spread out from the parent plant or by dividing the clump in the spring. This is one perennial that will grow in sunny poor conditions and tolerates drought. Blooms, depending on variety, can range from red, pink, white or blue and the plant reaches a height of 2"-4" and after flowering May-June, can be mowed and in some instances could be used as a lawn. It is evergreen, deer resistant, and will tolerate light foot traffic.

Acaena caesiiglauca-New Zealand Burr

Acaena or New Zealand Burr grow by rhizomes spreading out from the parent plant so these rooted shoots can be cut from the parent plant in either the spring or the fall, but be aware the plant can become invasive. Acaena reaches a height of 2"-4", will take light foot traffic, and blooms throughout the summer, green blooms which turn into red burrs either on green or silver leaves. The plant is drought tolerant, evergreen in warmer zones, is deer resistant, and prefers full sun.

Yucca-Adam’s Needle

When I lived in Colorado I drove by pastures grazed by horses and Yucca grew all over the place and felt sorry for the horses because not only where the plants not edible but they could also cut into their hides so why anyone would want to raise Yucca is beyond me, but that aside propagating Yucca can be done by cutting off a stem, usually they come in multiples, and trim off the bottom leaves and store the cutting and allow it to dry out for 7 days. Dig a hole, depending how long the cutting is then backfill. If there is more to the top of the cutting then the bottom stake the plant. Water. It will take any where from 3-6 months for the cutting to root. Cuttings can be taken in late spring or early summer. Blooms are white and fragrant and will appear in late summer, the plant is evergreen, drought tolerant, reaches a height of 4', and yes also deer resistant. Yucca comes in green, variegated, and yellow leaves.

Asteriscus maritimus-Gold Coin Beach Daisy

It is stated that propagating Asteriscus or Gold Coin Beach Daisy can only be accomplished by seeding or terminal tip cuttings but because of it growth habit this is one plant where layering might be another option since its stems seem to be strong and it’s evergreen in Zones 8-10, but like many other warm climate type plants that bloom throughout the summer planting seeds where it is considered an annual could be beneficial. Its bloom are yellow, it is in the Aster family, they attract butterflies, the plant is deer resistant and drought tolerant, except for layering. It reaches a height of 8"-12", prefers full sun and thrives along the shore line.

Convolvulus sabatius-Ground Morning Glory, Bindweed

Since Convolvulus or Ground Morning Glory is only a perennial in Zones 7-9, seed in the fall for bloom the following year where it is an annual, or where it is evergreen, dig up the parent plant and separate rooted stems and transplant. It is a colorful weed and entangles itself into plants so be careful growing it. It blooms from June through to early fall and its colors range from white, blue, pink, lilac and along the ground reaches a height of 4"-6" but entangles itself inside of plants especially hedges. It is drought hardy and prefers full sun.

Duchesnea indica-Mock Strawberry

Why anyone would want to propagate Duchesnea or Mock Strawberry is beyond me because in NC it is considered a weed that grows rapidly in the lawn, but it can be transplanted any time of the year by digging up the rooted runners. It resembles strawberries with its flower, although yellow and its leaves, and by the tiny fruit which is not edible. Unfortunately it is deer resistant, blooms throughout most of the growing season, is evergreen and reaches a height of 2"-4". If you have an area where nothing else grows either sun or shade that has ample moisture this could be your answer.