There are certain ornamental annuals that I use year after year, and coleus is a good example. I include them in mixed pots and in-ground, and they always perform beautifully. Ivy and some other trailing plants are another good example of a favourite that I often overwinter by taking cuttings.
Both these plants are also suited to rooting in water. And if water is kept fresh and free of foliage, coleus can be maintained in water for several months. Once roots appear they can also be potted in a well drained soil mix to produce additional cuttings as fall and winter proceeds.
Begonias are also like coleus and ivy in that cuttings take well to fresh water to form roots. In each case cutting success is related to removing bottom foliage to maintain water quality for a longer period of time.
Geraniums are another annual plant that can be overwintered by taking cuttings but in this case they go in soil. Take a 4- or 5-inch stem tip cutting just below the leaf node, strip the bottom leaves (leave 4-5 leaves at top.) Let the cutting callous over for 24 hours and plant the bottom 2 inches of the cutting in a well drained soil mix. It will root and can be maintained in a small pot in indirect sunlight, in a well ventilated area and water sparingly.
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