Putting out to

The sun is shining and with luck Jack Frost won’t be back any time soon, so we gardeners can once again enjoy some tropical fantasies with tender perennial plants.

Many, such as marguerites, pelargoniums, fuchsias and osteospermums, are instantly recognisable favourites. They flower year on year but need to be taken indoors to escape winter extremes.

While this involves more attention and planning than using reliable hardy perennials such as lupins and delphiniums, their beautiful flowers can often last the entire summer and into autumn which makes them worth that extra bit of effort.

The easiest method of growing is to plant in pots so you can place them outdoors on the patio, or tuck them in between other plants to fill the gaps in your border.

However, you can also plant tender perennials in the ground and dig them up in autumn, or take cuttings. These plants are good candidates for propagation via cuttings.

Start by taking softwood cuttings of pelargoniums, petunias, bidens and fuchsias now. Then during the summer and towards the arrival of autumn gather your semi-ripe cuttings of penstemon, salvias and marguerites.

This week I am giving you a rundown of some of my favourites.

I’m hoping they will inspire you to produce some floral creativity in your gardens.