planting times

When can I plant lilacs and rose of sharon?  Can I get a cutting from a friend's bush?  How?

Both of those plants can go in the ground right now.

You could take a cutting but it's not easy. You would really be better off buying an established plant or digging up one of the babies from the lilac or rose of Sharon.

Here's some basics for taking cuttings. I like taking cuttings, but each plant is a little different and hardwood cuttings are the toughest to make root, at least for me.

http://www.backyardgardener.com/jmoore/Cuttings.html

 Hi jimsmom,

I do not know about lilacs, but gave my mom two hardwood cuttings from my Rose of Sharons(from plant swap four years ago) that are beautifully in full bloom from quite a while. She just planted them, no manure, nothing. They looked dead for a while before perking up. I should thank my husband for meticulously taking the cuttings(and I am the gardener at home). Do give it a try and let us know.

~Nikki.