August is a great time to take semi-ripe cuttings and add to your garden! You can expand your collection and fill your garden with vibrant greenery next year. During summer, plants are growing fast, so your cuttings will probably root quickly, too. Semi-ripe cuttings are taken from stems that have grown this year. The stems will have started to harden near the base, but the tips will still be soft.
If you want to take plant cuttings in August, there are many annuals and perennials that are perfect candidates. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular plants to propagate this month and add to your summer gardening checklist.
Tips for Taking Cuttings in August
Taking semi-ripe cuttings in August is straightforward, but here are a few key tips to ensure success:
- Use clean and sharp pruning shears or a knife.
- Choose straight, healthy, non-flowering shoots.
- Remove lower leaves and any side shoots.
- Place the cutting in a warm, light spot, but avoid direct sunlight.
Dipping the end of the cutting in rooting hormone can help it root quicker, but it is not essential. Cuttings can successfully root without it. It should take 6-8 weeks for summer cuttings to root, and they can be kept in a greenhouse or cold frame to overwinter, ready to plant outside next spring.
1. Lavender
Lavender is universally adored for its glorious purple flowers, grey-green foliage, and stunning fragrance. Whether in flower beds, herb gardens, or lining garden paths, there are plenty of reasons to plant lavender.
To add to your collection, you can take lavender cuttings in summer. Semi-ripe cuttings are often the simplest way to propagate lavender, allowing you to expand your lavender garden effortlessly.
2. Rosemary
Rosemary is a popular evergreen shrub and aromatic herb, known for its fantastic aroma and culinary potential. Taking semi-ripe cuttings is one of the best ways to propagate rosemary, ensuring a healthy and vibrant collection year after year.
There are various rosemary types, including upright and trailing varieties with blooms in shades of purple, blue, and pink. Regular pruning helps keep rosemary plants bushy and compact, and propagating cuttings ensures a continuous supply of this versatile herb.
3. Salvia
Salvias come in many types and forms, offering a wide range of colors. These plants are excellent for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden.
Both hardy and tender salvias root quickly from semi-ripe cuttings taken in summer. Propagating salvia from cuttings ensures you get identical plants to the parent, as growing from seed can be unpredictable due to cross-pollination.
4. Verbena
There are hundreds of verbena types worldwide, making them perfect for wildlife gardens. You can grow verbena as an annual or opt for perennial varieties for long-lasting blooms.
Both tender and hardy verbenas can be propagated by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or early fall. Taking cuttings ensures you don’t lose all your tender verbenas if winter temperatures drop unexpectedly.
5. Tender Geraniums
Tender geraniums, or pelargoniums, come in many colors and forms. They make excellent bedding plants in summer but need to be overwintered indoors due to their lack of frost-hardiness.
Taking cuttings in August is a fast and reliable way to propagate geraniums. The cuttings root quickly and go dormant over winter, requiring minimal watering to prevent overwatering.
6. Penstemon
Penstemon, also known as beardtongue, is a great addition to wildlife gardens, attracting hummingbirds and pollinators with its large tubular flower spikes. With over 250 species, penstemons range from small alpine plants to tall herbaceous perennials.
You can take semi-ripe cuttings in late August when the stems are hardening. Ensure the cutting is 4-5 inches long, with two-thirds of it inserted in compost. Protect from frost and plant outside in spring.
7. Sage
Sage is a short-lived perennial herb, ideal for flower beds, raised beds, or container gardens. With hundreds of types to choose from, sage is a versatile herb that benefits from regular pruning to stay bushy.
Sage can be propagated from cuttings throughout the summer. You can place the cuttings in soil or propagate them in water. Remember to change the water regularly to keep it fresh.
Can I Take Rose Cuttings in August?
While rose cuttings can be taken as hardwood or softwood cuttings, midsummer is not ideal for either. Hardwood cuttings are best taken when the rose is dormant, and softwood cuttings are best taken from new growth in late spring or early summer.
In addition to taking cuttings, you can sow hardy annual flowers in August to fill your garden with blooms next spring, including snapdragons, nigella, calendula, and larkspur.
By following these tips and taking cuttings in August, you can propagate a variety of plants and enjoy a flourishing garden in the coming year.
