I just cut off bits randomly and stuck them straight into my (heavy clay,
damp) soil last winter to brighten it up. About half have rooted. The year
before when I went to lots of trouble using rooting hormone, plant pots,
potting mix etc none rooted. I also find that sticking them in water (until
then show roots - several weeks) helps, and that longer sticks seem to do
better than shorter ones.
Hayley