Take semi-ripe evergreen cuttings

There’s still just time to take semi-ripe cuttings from evergreen shrubs, such as hebe, mahonia, choisya and viburnum.

1 Take your cuttings 2 Pot them up 3 Grow them on

Select healthy stems and cut them with sharp secateurs. Trim cuttings to 5-7.5cm (3-4in) long.

Trim below a leaf joint, remove the lower leaves and insert in small pots or trays of good quality multipurpose compost.

Stand pots or trays in a heated propagator to provide bottom heat and mist with water to keep foliage cool or cover with clear plastic. Shade the propagator with fleece or newspaper on very sunny days.

IT’S NOT JUST deciduous trees that provide fiery autumn tints – climbers can be tucked into the smallest space to weave their way along walls and fences to boost the colour display. l This climbing hydrangea tolerates shade and has white lacecap flowers June-Aug and leaves turn golden in autumn. Leave to spread (H15m/ S3m) or prune after flowering to fit the available space. l Crimson glory vine (above) produces bright red leaves and

Hydrangea petiolaris

bunches of blue-black mini grapes that birds devour in sun or part-shade. Leave to spread, as for the hydrangea, but prune to shape in winter. l Actinidia kolomikta haspink and white-splashed, heart-shaped leaves and fragrant white summer flowers. Prune in spring to tidy. H5m (16ft) S4m (13ft) l Parthenocissus Boston ivy’s vine-like leaves turn stunning shades of red, but this climber is a bit of a thug! Contain it in a big pot to decorate a shed or fence.