Using Cypress Cuttings as Rabbit Deterrents

Pinks (scented) and carnations (unscented) are easy to propagate from ‘pipings’. These are made from soft tips of strong, flowerless shoots, around five pairs of leaves in length. Summer is the ideal time for taking cuttings, as plant cells divide quickly, promoting root growth. Propagating plants by cuttings is an easy and cheap way of replacing straggly, old plants. For best results, take cuttings first thing in the morning when the plants are less likely to wilt, and pot them up as soon as

Nectar-rich asters, also known as Michaelmas daisies, provide a boost for late-flying bees and butterflies. Cuttings are a cheap and easy way to get more of these plants. Once taken, they’ll grow over the next 12 months and be ready to flower next autumn, which is when the availability of nectar starts to diminish. Take care of your cuttings by keeping them moist but not overwatered, as fungal infection will cause them to rot. Remove any that turn brown to protect the rest. Not growing aster

Hardwood cuttings are taken from shrubs e.g. forsythia, cornus and willow in autumn and winter. They can take several months to produce roots, so leave them for a year before lifting and potting up or transplanting. In this No Fuss Guide, David Hurrion demonstrates how to take hardwood cuttings from a range of shrubs and fruit bushes, including blackcurrants. Find out when to take hardwood cuttings, which stems to select and how to make your cuts. David also explains which compost to use, wher

Conifers such as yew and cypress provide useful structure and evergreen interest in the garden, and summer is the perfect time to increase your stock. Conifers are propagated by taking semi-ripe cuttings from the current season’s growth, when the wood is woody at the base but soft at the tip. You’ll need to be patient – conifers can take up to a year to root and will be ready to pot on the following autumn. Follow our step-by-step guide to taking conifer cuttings, below.