When I get my hands on a plant that I love, I can’t get enough of it. Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ is one such plant. I’ve got a lovely bobbly line growing along the path in the garden, and in late summer, those deep purple flowers look fabulous.
I want to create a huge display of this lavender in my next garden, which means I either spend a stupid amount of money on new plants when I move, or I get them all for free by taking cuttings from my existing plants. This sounds complicated and the sort of thing you can only do when you’re grey-haired, but taking cuttings is easy-peasy. Here’s how:
1. Choose a happy-looking sideshoot, and pull it gently from the stem, taking a small bit of bark with you.
2. Remove all the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting, and trim the ‘heel’ of bark so it isn’t excessive. This heel is important, as it will produce the roots.
3. Leave the cuttings to stand in warmish water while you fill a pot with peat-free compost.
4. Dip the cutting in Organic Rooting Powder
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5. Make a small hole in the compost, and insert the cutting, patting the soil down gently to firm in.
6. Water the cuttings well, and cover with a lid, or plastic bag, and keep sealed. Leave for four weeks, occasionally removing the covering to prevent fungal problems, until the cuttings have rooted. Once they are established, you can pot them on.
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