Cuttings

• 1). Clip stem tips from a variegated hydrangea. Include at least three nodes on each tip, where leaves have emerged or can emerge.
  
  
• 2). Place cuttings in a plastic bag with some water. Keep the cut ends moist while you prepare your potting and rooting media.
  
  
• 3). Fill a small cup or clean container with a sterile potting medium. Moisten the potting medium.
  
  
• 4). Sprinkle 1 tbsp. of commercial powdered rooting hormone into the bottom of a small, clean container. Dip each cutting end into the powder. Tap the cutting gently to remove excess powder.
  
  
• 5). Place each cutting into a container of moist sterile potting medium. Tamp down soil until cutting is secure.
  
  
• 6). Keep cutting soil moist but not wet. Wait two to three weeks for new roots to grow before transplanting into your garden.
  
  

Layering

• 1). Bend a hydrangea cane or limb down until it touches the ground. Leave an excess 5 to 6 inches beyond the point where it touches the ground. Dig a shallow planting hole where the limb touches soil.
  
  
• 2). Cut a narrow ring around the variegated hydrangea limb. Dust the wound with commercial powdered rooting compound.
  
  
• 3). Insert the wounded limb into the soil. Cover it with at least 2 inches of dirt. Water well.
  
  
• 4). Place a large garden rock or brick atop the buried limb. At least 4 inches of limb should remain exposed above the planting hole. Water your layered plant to keep the soil evenly moist, but not wet.