Question
Can you tell me how you start cuttings? I tried to make rootings from butterfly bushes in soil but they die. Should I use the soft branches? or the hard woody stems. Pull all the leaves off? or leave a few? Soil or plain sand? I use root tone and what should I stick them in. Help:)

Answer
Shirley,
Take the new shoots that come out in spring and cut the bottom stem at a slant.Dip it into the root tone and blow off the excess.Then stick it down into fresh pre moistened potting soil.Use a small pot for single cuttings or a larger pot for multiple cuttings.Place a large clear plastic bag over it to retain moisture.Don't water too often,just when the soil is getting dry. Don't let it dry completely though.I recommend doing about 5 at a time so you have a better chance of getting at least one. They root at a fairly rapid pace in the right humidity and the plastic bags acts as a "greenhouse" effect.Hope you are successful at rooting your butterfly bush.They are certainly beautiful!

Also I forgot to tell you: Do cut off all the leaves from the stem except for the top two.