Augural Plants for Propagation in August: Transform Your Garden Borders at No Cost
Propagating Plants for a Budget Garden: A Guide to August Planting
August is an ideal time for gardeners on a budget to propagate a variety of plants, expanding their gardens affordably. Here's a list of some popular choices that root well from cuttings in late summer:
Lavender
One of the best plants to propagate in August is lavender. Semi-hardwood cuttings (non-flowering stems) root within 2-4 weeks. They thrive in well-drained soil and make fragrant borders or hedges.
Rosemary
Rosemary can also be propagated in August in the same way as lavender. Use shorter, greener semi-hardwood stems for best rooting success. Avoid very woody cuttings.
Fuchsias and Pelargoniums
Take softwood cuttings from healthy growth for easy rooting. These can be propagated indoors or in pots.
Verbena
Cut the top few centimeters of new growth, remove lower leaves, then plant in gritty compost. Verbena attracts pollinators and flowers till frost.
Hydrangeas
Select a healthy stem just beneath a node, remove all but the top leaves, dip in rooting hormone, and pot into a small pot of gritty, well-drained compost. Hydrangeas grow easily and can increase garden appeal.
Penstemons (beardtongues)
Non-flowering shoots about 10 cm long root in a compost/perlite mix. Pinch tips for bushier plants.
Roses
Semi-ripe cuttings from current-season growth planted in pots or trenches root in a few months but need patience and healthy stems.
For budget gardening, propagating these plants enables free multiplication of established plants, expanding the garden affordably. Focus on using clean, sharp tools and take cuttings during cooler parts of the day to reduce plant stress.
August is a great month for propagating a mix of herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and some edibles, including hydrangea, rosemary, sage, Buddleja, fuchsia, escallonia, ceanothus, and penstemon. Labeling your cuttings can help prevent forgetting what's what.
Morris Hankinson, the founder and managing director of Hopes Grove Nurseries Ltd, a UK specialist grower-retailer of hedging plants, notes that August is brilliant for propagation as you can take advantage of the warm soil, longer days, and active plant growth before autumn sets in. So, get your tools ready and start propagating for a blooming marvellous garden next year!
Interior design enthusiasts might be intrigued by the transformation of a home-and-garden space incorporating propagated plants from August, such as lavender, rosemary, fuchsias, verbena, hydrangeas, penstemons, roses, and various herbs. This home-grown, budget-friendly garden lifestyle can bring a fresh aroma and vibrant colors into otherwise ordinary living spaces, creating a harmonious blend of flora and interiors.
