Question
My mother wants a start of my snowball bush.  We were told that you could simply cut a bloomed snowball, bury it, and it would take root and grow.  Sounds very simple but is it true??

Answer
Hi Tara,
Thanx for your question.  I have not heard that one can bury a snowball from the snowball bush an dit would take root and grow.  An easy way to get a start though, is to take a branch near the ground and scrape the outer covering slightly, brush the "wound" with some rooting hormone and then bury the bruised portion in about 3-4 inches of soil.  Place a rock on the top to keep it in the ground.  Rooting should take place in about 8 weeks.  You'll see new growth and that will let you know that there is a root system developed.  Dig up the layer (that's what the new plant is called) and cut if off of the mother plant and plant it in the desired spot.  This is called layering.  You can also take 6 inch cuttings and remove all but two or three leaves, dip the cut end in rooting hormone and then stick about 1 inch deep in warm, wet sand.  Keep the sand warm and wet and rooting should take place in about 8 weeks.  I hope this helps.
Tom