[jon s]

hi all i would like info on this plant as i would like to take cuttings, i new to gardening stuff so any info will help, thanks

[Dr. Sunny Thomson]

Pheasant berry or Leycesteria formosa is the plant jon s.
This image was only viewed 9 Times when I replied, so thats how quick you have to be around here to beat the identification champs that prowl the forum.
I'm chuffed.

[jon s]

thanks now for the research to begin on cuttings and growing then thanks once again

[Silver surfer]

[Sive]

I have planted one of these shrubs and am now finding them all around the garden, I'm hoping I won't regret introducing the original one......they obviously are very good at self-seeding.

[Greengage]

Looks like we have competition
Leycesteria can be a bit of a nuisance in a small garden, bit like Kerria japonica pops up where you dont want it.

[Her Outdoors]

I love this plant. I grew some from a packet of seed about 6 years ago. This was a painstaking job as the seeds were tiny, like grains of salt. I kept them potted for about a year then we planted them out to attempt to grow them into a hedge. Unfortunately the bad winter of 2010 (I think) when we had the -16 frosts devastated a lot of the plants. They were obviously too young to survive it. Those that did survive really came on in the last couple of years and are in full bloom at present. We have sowed some dogwood in the gaps and they seem to mingle quite well. We have never found any self seeded plants, we were hoping they would self seed so that we could fill in the gaps. The bees love the flowers and the birds love the berries that follow. I might try taking some cuttings this year. When is the best time to do that?

[Greengage]

It will survive best if softwood cuttings are taken in spring and early summer, from the tender new growth, If potted by mid-summer they will develop sufficient roots to survive the winter, you can then re- pot the following spring or plant out in final position.

[Her Outdoors]

Thanks Greengage, I'll do that next Spring.

[jon s]

this is some very good information with so many enthusiastic members, i glad i found you, thanks ever so much, i feel some green finger starting to grow ,lol

[Good guy]

I've always thought it an attractive plant but have never grown it - maybe I will, now. It grows wild here around Mulroy Bay.

[Greengage]

Exactly it grows wild around mulroy Bay therefore conditions are good locally be careful as it could take over your garden, i have seen it growing by rivers, in flower beds , in woods and on walls.
for your own curiosity google leycesteria invasion maybe you will have second thoughts.

[baabamaal]

[Greengage]

The easy answer is to say yes, but there are lots of different types of cuttings to take some are specific to some plants e..g mallet cuttings for mahonias or heel cuttings for conifers, There are many types of cuttings soft wood, hard wood, semi ripe, leaf ,root, scion stem,
Soft wood cuttings require care they need to be kept moist and not allowed dry out,, very easy to loose cuttings like this, the best method is to use is hard wood cuttings they can be just stuck in sand over winter and planted up the folowing spring, All the books say soft wood cutting for pheasant bush but try hardwood as well i dont see how it woouldnt work, sorry if it confuses you.

[baabamaal]

No, that does make sense- I was thinking of the softwood cuttings but that clarifies it. I suppose it is a question of Baaba trying all the methods and seeing what works!