Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Friday - March 04, 2011
From: Gainesville, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Propagation
Title: Rooting hybrid Savannah Holly from cuttings from Gainesville FL
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I need instructions on rooting the Savannah Holly from cuttings. I understand that seedlings will not be true to the parent..is this true? Please help. What type of soil mix should I use?ANSWER:
That is correct. A hybridized plant will ordinarily not breed true from seeds. However, when you grow new plants from cuttings, they will be clones, i.e., identical to the parent plant. This is how most nursery stock, especially woody stock, is usually propagated.
This article from the University of Florida, IFAS Extension, Ilex x attenuata 'Savannah' has lots of good information about the culture of this plant. Since it is a hybrid (the "x" in the middle is a giveaway) we will not have it in our Native Plant Database. It is a hybrid between Ilex cassine (Dahoon) and Ilex opaca (American holly), both of which are native to North America and in our database.
Now, on to specifics. This article from North Carolina State University Plant Propagation by Stem Cuttings: Instructions for the Home Gardener has much better instructions than we can give you. We noted from this article that cuttings from hollies are best taken in the semi-hardwood state. An excerpt from that article:
"Semi-hardwood cuttings are usually prepared from partially mature wood of the current season’s growth, just after a flush of growth. This type of cutting normally is made from mid-July to early fall. The wood is reasonably firm and the leaves of mature size. Many broadleaf evergreen shrubs and some conifers are propagated by this method."
Pictures of Savannah holly from Google:
From our Native Plant Image Gallery:
More Propagation Questions
Overwintering Newly Rooted Hydrangea
September 05, 2013 - I am in the process of rooting a hydrangea shoot in a pot, should I bring this inside to winter? I thought burying the whole clay pot to winter outside, is this feasible? I'm in zone 6b. What would b...
view the full question and answer
Yucca sprouting shoots in Oxfordshire, England
July 11, 2010 - I have a 20ft outdoor yucca with four huge branches.It is 11 years old. For the first time it has sprouted two side shoots on one of the trunks. They are about 12 inches in length. What is the best wa...
view the full question and answer
Propagation of skunk cabbage
December 18, 2003 - Where can I purchase root stock for a start of skunk cabbage to plant?
in my wetland?
view the full question and answer
Growing Green milkweed vine from seed
July 29, 2015 - I was given some seed for the pearl milkweed vine which I intend to plant, but I can find no information on whether to stratify or scarify them or just plant them. I know some milkweeds require strati...
view the full question and answer
Propagation of Mexican buckeye from seeds in San Antonio
October 02, 2009 - I recently collected seeds from a Mexican buckeye. Is it best to plant them now or wait until spring? Do they need to be scarified?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |