How to Shield-Graft Bud on Dog Rose Seedlings

The dog rose tree is a rambling rose best used as a hedge plant. The leaves of the dog rose open in April, with pink and white blooms showing on the tree in July and August. The dog rose begins to bud in late summer, but it does not become ripe until November. The branches of the dog rose can reach up to 9 feet long. Often, though, this length is not obtained because of damage to the tree. Budding can help add top growth to the dog rose and offer an arborescent appearance, giving the shrub a tree-like façade. Grafting should take place in early summer for the best results.

Budding knife
Grafting knife
Grafting tape

Instructions

- 1
  Place the blade of the budding knife above the bud on the rootstock and slice into the wood, pulling the knife down, under the bud. The bud stick should have a wedge of removed wood 1 ½ to 2 inches long on it where the cut was made.
- 2
  Cut a “T” into the rootstock trunk with the grafting knife, placing the blade slightly into the surface. Peel the bark back to expose the wood underneath, without removing the bark.
- 3
  Place the bud into the pocket of bark and close the bark around the bud stick.
- 4
  Wrap the graft firmly with grafting tape, leaving the bud exposed.
- 5
  Cut off any excess from the bud stick, leaving only 2 inches of the bud stick exposed to promote new growth over the summer.

Blooming Shrubs for Sunny Spots

Do Holly Bushes Need Sun?

Landscaping Shrubs