How to Splice Shrubs

Make a diagonal cut on the trunk of the stock shrub or shrub that will remained planted with its root ball in the ground. The diagonal cut should be approximately 1 to 1-and-1/2 feet from the base of the stock shrub.

Cut a tongue groove in the exposed stock trunk with a knife. Start from the top of the diagonal cut you made on the stock trunk and cut downward in an even fashion. This should look like an "W" shape, with three "teeth" pointing up.

Saw the scion or top of another shrub off its trunk base with a diagonal cut that matches the cut made on the stock trunk. The diagonal cut should be made about the same height: 1 to 1-and-1/2 feet from the ground and should look like an "M" shape with three teeth pointing downward. Cut another tongue groove into the scion's diagonal cut in the same manner as you did on the stock trunk.

Fit the scion onto the stock trunk allowing the grooves to "interlock." Wrap the spliced or grafted area where the two diagonal parts match between the stock trunk and the scion in grafting tape. Use enough tape to hold the splice in place. Water the spliced shrub thereafter and then water on your normal schedule.