Propagating Hydrangeas and Beauty Berries

In about two weeks I'll be cutting back my Annabelle and Tardiva hydrangeas as well as my purple Beauty Berry bushes. I started a thread on the Plant Trading Forum to see if anyone had an interest in rooted cuttings and several people do. I've always just stuck the cuttings of the hydrangeas in the ground and they take off. This time I'll be rooting for mailing and I'd like to get some advice on the best size cutting to root. I'd also like the best medium that develops roots the quickest. I don't have grow lights, but then the cuttings don't have leaves either.

Thanks so much!

I wish I could help you pins
I am a real novice when it comes to rooting things and have had a few successes but a lot of failures.
If putting them in the ground has worked for you before I think that is probably what I would do.
I have used sand for most of the things that I have tried and like I said I have had some things root, but a lot of things I tried just ended up dying.
I hope someone comes along that knows more than I do.
Alice

Well, I seem to have come along next but that doesn't make me an expert on the subject by any means. I will be anxious to see what an expert thinks on the subject since I am wanting some of the cuttings.

I stuck some in dirt in November, getting leaves, but no roots, I'd love some of that advice too. What am I doing wrong?