Great Idea!

Fantastic tip. Now, why didn't I think of that?
Haven't tried to plant cuttings in the fall from mature stems, but I will give this a try.

Yews are so easy to start from tender-growth cuttings in the spring or summer. That's
how most of our shrubs came to be here.

Great idea!

mistyfog said:Fantastic tip. Now, why didn't I think of that?

Especially like that they might take root.
So MANY people here put fake flowers in their curbsidepots off season.
Maybe I can start a trend......

It's kind of funny how I first started doing this. I was head gardener at an estate and I was pruning the yew and holly near the doorway. So that I didn't have to rake up the cuttings, I was just sticking them in the empty planters at the door. The client came out, saw the pots, and said oh how pretty! Those will look nice all winter! Uh-yeah-I meant to do that!
Solved my problem on what to put in the planters for the cold season!
Once Christmas trees and garlands arrive in the stores, I'll add some more greenery, but the holly and yew stay the longest.
i have tried putting boxwoods and pansies in planters for the winter, but you definitely have to keep up on watering for them to survive.

I am not sure if I have a holly or not, I know I do not have any Yews. I have a few winter berries but they are babies. Would they do?? If I buy a Yew what would be the best cultivar?

Susan, there are several types of yews, mostly due to shape.

Tall pyramidal yews that grow in the shape of a Christmas tree,
and rounded ones that grow about 3-4 feet tall/wide if kept trimmed.
I trim mature ones about 4-5 times a year, so they take some work.

It just depends on what you want in the space you have. They are
basically moderately slow growing shrubs, but the cuttings grow to about a foot
high in about 3 years.

Of course, if left untrimmed, they can grow to be monsters.

Yikes! (monsters) As far as Pyramidal shapes go, I had decided on a dwarf alberta spruce when I moved in here. It did not do well and then I got arborvitae. At this point they are just big enough for christmas lights and that is all I really wanted. I am pretty sure these winter berries will give me some cuttings up the road.