Dear Carol,

I don't know how good my advice is for anyone else, but I have found that early spring is a better time to do hardwood cuttings and get them to root. It may have to do with all of the new growth producing hormones that aid the rooting process where as in the winter the plant is shutting down the growth process. Maybe someone else will chip in some tips for you but if not I would wait until Spring. I did hardwood cuttings this past spring of my PeeGee Hydrangia and azalea and all rooted extremely well.

It is so disheartening to start a lot of cuttings and have them not take.

Warmest Holiday wishes,
Jean
recipesaver2

Hmmmm.....
I am really intrigued by your question!
I also have tried various hardwood cuttings following traditional methods of gathering and prepping cut ends with hormone and then storing in the winter, without much luck- as they all tended to dry out before planting. Our winters are pretty cold and harsh (sometimes).
Spring cuttings did work better for me as well.
Now- thinking about what I think you propose- gathering, preping with hormone, and then "planting out" into WS jugs- like mini individual coldframes- has got me wondering if my probems with hardwood cuttings wouldn't be eliminated- as moisture would be sealed into the container and become available as soon as the plant required it on a warmer day.
I think I will have to re-visit the idea of winter gathering hardwood cuttings- the Winter Sow way! I can not think of a reason it should not work- and I do see many ways where this would be an improvement over the way I had tried before! I would even think that some conifer and evergreen selections may be added to this trial run- with that said- I think being careful of placement of the containers would be a consideration- finding bright indirect light- would be an optimum selection for them.
I am lucky in that my southfacing white garage- sits just behind my house- so- northside of the house is where my Winter Sow containers of cuttings will sit- with plenty of light bouncing right back at the containers for the winter!
I do not think that freezing them will be an issue- but- if you wanted- try to put them in your basement window wells, if you have them, or at least along the foundation of your house. You can insulate with leaves- and a clear plastic "blanket" as well. You could also wait to start till the worst of your winter temps are over.
Thanks for posting this question- I know I will be revisiting hardwood cuttings this year- just to test this addition to my Winter Sow world!
Best of luck to you-
Julie