Taking semi-ripe cuttings in August is one of the best ways to grow new plants for free, ensuring strong blooms next year, according to senior gardener Noah Mabey.
Easy cuttings for free plants
Noah Mabey, senior gardener at Thornbridge Hall and horticultural advisor to Platinum Spas Hot Tubs, said: "August is also one of the best months to take semi-ripe cuttings, making it easy to grow new plants for free."
Plants such as lavender, rosemary, salvias, penstemons and hydrangeas all root well from semi-ripe cuttings taken now. Simply select healthy, non-flowering shoots, remove the lower leaves and place them into a gritty compost mix.
Deadheading and trimming
Deadheading blooms is another key task, as many plants begin channelling resources into seed production during August. Removing old flowers encourages continued flowering instead of seed production, keeping borders, pots and hanging baskets colourful for longer.
August is also an ideal time to tidy and shape the garden. Lavender responds brilliantly to being trimmed back once it has finished blooming. Mabey advised: "Always cut back this year's soft growth, but avoid cutting into the older woody stems as lavender doesn't recover well from hard pruning."
Further care tips
Hardy perennials such as geraniums and nepeta benefit from trimming back to fresh growth emerging from the base, which can encourage fresh foliage and another display of flowers later in the season.
His final recommendation is to monitor roses carefully and secure stems to prevent wind damage. He noted: "I only tie them loosely at this stage before training them properly during winter." Continue deadheading repeat-flowering roses, but for rambling varieties that produce attractive rose hips, consider leaving a few flowers to provide colour and interest through autumn and winter, especially after the first frosts.
