Newbie here! I researched propagation for lavender through cuttings and learned you need to use a stem before it blooms. Does the same go for Russian Sage? Is that the rule in general?

Off forum topic, but subject related...As pretty cut flowers in a vase are Lav and R.S. better in water or dried? How long do they last?

Most propagation by cuttings is more successful if a young new shoot is used as the cutting. That has been my own experience.

Hi @Chrissyd1121
Pretty late to the thread here but do know about lavender. I have a cottage garden, and mulch with hardwood chips. I have over 60 lavender plants. Every other year I harvest the budded stems, bundle and dry them. A lovely scent for my garden shed during the drying process. I much prefer dried lavender vs. fresh lavender in a vase of water.
Now, about propagating. One way - I will bury one of the lower branches (still attached to the mother plant) in the soil - leaving the stem tip uncovered. I do this in early spring, and leave it that way all summer. Roots form. In late summer, if roots have formed I cut the branch off the mother plant, gently dig up the roots and transplant it to a desired spot. I have to share with you - lavender HATE to be transplanted.
Another, more successful way to get more lavender plants is to avoid harvesting the lavender flowers and let them go to seed. Do nothing to the gone-to-seed lavender plant. Next year, notice around your garden, you will see the cutest little lavenders growing in random spots. Leave them alone. Transplanting has a high mortality rate.
Good luck and happy growing.

Thanks so much for responding! I've never attempted layering as a propagation method yet... I'll give it a whirl this year!