These 5 easy-to-propagate perennials will reward you with years of free flowers – you'll fill your borders without spending a thing
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It may not feel like it, especially considering the temperatures, but July is one of the most productive months in the gardening calendar – especially if you’re keen to expand your planting without spending a fortune. Because, yes, there are no less than five perennials to propagate in July if you want free plants aplenty!
Yes, we all know that propagation is the MVP in our gardening arsenals. It basically means that, rather than buying new plants every time you want to fill a gap in a border or refresh a tired-looking patch, you can just... well, just multiply the favourites you already have growing.
A single healthy plant can provide the starting point for several new additions, helping you create a fuller garden while saving money and reducing waste. And high summer? Why, it just so happens to be one of the easiest times to try your hand at taking cuttings.
Five perennials to propagate in July
So many perennials are putting on strong growth at this point in the year, which means that those stems are at the perfect stage to develop roots before the colder months arrive. With a few basic supplies and the right aftercare, even beginner gardeners can successfully grow their own plants for next year.
‘Summer cuttings will root quickly and grow into beautiful plants for next year,’ says Morris Hankinson, director of Hopes Grove Nurseries.
Morris Hankinson is the founder and managing director of Hopes Grove Nurseries Ltd, the UK’s only specialist grower-retailer of hedging plants. He established the thriving business in 1992, shortly after graduating with a Commercial Horticulture Degree from Writtle College, Essex.
‘It’s a great way to ensure you can replace any plants that suffer in winter, while also filling gaps in your borders with strong, home-grown stock.’
With that in mind, then, here are five reliable perennials to propagate in July, along with Morris’s expert advice on how to get them started. (Just take care to avoid any obvious propagation mistakes when you get to work).
1. Clematis
Clematis is one of the most rewarding climbers to propagate in summer, especially if you already have a healthy, established plant in your garden. If you fancy it, Morris recommends selecting a strong, non-flowering stem and taking a cutting carefully.
‘Choose a healthy stem and, with sharp secateurs (these Kimura bypass secateurs, £24.99 at Amazon, are our top buy), cut between leaf joints. Remove lower leaves and dip the cut end of the stem in rooting powder. It’s very easy to root,’ he says.
Shop propagation essentials
You need a pair of sharp (and, more importantly, clean) secateurs if you want to take a good cutting for propagation.
This compost is ideal for seeds and cuttings, but it will dry out quickly on a warm day so keep an eye on it.
More optional than essential, many pro gardeners insist that a good rooting powder like this can make all the difference to propagated cuttings taking.
Once prepared, the cutting should be planted into a pot of moist compost (like Westland Gro-Sure cutting compost, £8.85 at Amazon). To maintain humidity, cover it with a transparent plastic bag and place it somewhere warm and bright, but out of direct sunlight. ‘The plastic cover helps keep moisture in until the cutting has rooted well,’ adds Morris.
Be patient here, as clematis can take a little time. Once established, though, the reward is a vigorous climber that can transform fences, arches and pergolas. Win!
2. Salvia
Salvia is a cottage garden staple, loved for its spires of purple, blue or pink flowers that attract bees and butterflies. And it is one of the best plants to grow from cuttings, so long as you target non-flowering shoots.
Morris explains: ‘Softwood cuttings can be taken from non-flowering shoots. Remove the lower leaves and place them into a gritty, moist compost. Keep these shaded and moist until rooted.’
The key here is balance, as too much sun can scorch delicate cuttings, while too little moisture will slow root development. A light, airy compost mix like Gro-Sure Westland Seed & Cutting Compost Bale helps prevent rot and encourages healthy root formation.
‘Summer cuttings will root quickly and grow into beautiful plants for next year,’ he adds, making salvia one of the most satisfying perennials to propagate at this time of year.
3. Lavender
Lavender is one of the easiest and most reliable plants to propagate in July, especially if you already have a bushy plant.
Morris suggests selecting side shoots that aren’t flowering. ‘Choose non-flowering side shoots and pull away from the plant with a small piece of older wood attached. Plant into a gritty mix of moist compost,’ he says.
Unlike some other perennials, lavender rarely needs rooting hormone and thrives in a warm position with excellent drainage. ‘Lavender roots easily in a warm position and usually doesn’t need rooting powder,’ adds Morris.
This is a particularly useful method if your lavender plants are getting woody or sparse, as propagation allows you to refresh your planting stock every few years.
4. Penstemon
Penstemons are brilliant long-flowering perennials, but the frost can and will make short work of them. ‘Sometimes they can suffer in long, cold winters, so propagating is a good way to ensure you can replace any damaged plants the following year,’ Morris explains.
Semi-ripe cuttings, Morris says, are the key to success here. ‘Take 5–10cm semi-ripe cuttings from healthy stems on the plant. Remove the lower leaves and place around the edge of a pot filled with a moist, gritty mix of compost,’ he says.
Positioning the cuttings around the edge of the pot helps improve airflow and rooting success. Keep them sheltered but not overly warm, and ensure compost stays lightly moist.
5. Hardy geranium
Fun fact: hardy geraniums are one of the most forgiving and productive perennials you can grow, and they multiply easily through division or cuttings. Or, as Morris puts it, they can ‘easily be propagated by dividing larger clumps after flowering, or by taking young shoots as cuttings. Hardy geraniums grow well and soon flourish again.'
Basically, a little propagation now and you will have the ideal filler plant for stuffing awkward gaps in borders or expanding existing drifts of colour. Plus, once established, geraniums quickly settle back into growth, rewarding even beginner gardeners with reliable, long-lasting colour.
FAQs
What plants can I take cuttings from in July?
There are several plants you can take cuttings from in July, although Christopher O’Donoghue, director of Gardens Revived urges you to stick to softwood and semi-ripe cuttings.
‘Many woody perennials and tender perennials have new growth that is starting to firm up at the base,’ he says, suggesting you stick to plants like rosemary, lavender, salvias, penstemons, fuchsias, pelargoniums, and the not-so-humble clematis.
Is July a good month to propagate plants?
July is a good month to propagate plants, depending on the method you decide to use.
‘July is a fantastic time for taking cuttings, but it is generally a terrible time to divide established plants due to the drier weather,’ says Christopher O’Donoghue, director of Gardens Revived, noting that plants are actively growing and under higher water stress, which dictates what will succeed and what will fail.
Stick to a list of pre-approved plants for propagation, though, and you should be more than fine!
Whichever way you look at it, propagating perennials in July is one of the most cost-effective and satisfying gardening tasks of the summer. All it takes is a little patience, a clean pair of secateurs, the correct conditions, and a handful of cuttings to turn into a flourishing border by next year.
And when all of that is promised for free? Well, then the little effort it takes is more than worth it. Good luck!
