How to take semi-ripe cuttings

It’s easy to take cuttings from plants such as salvias, yew or lavender – just follow these simple steps.

1 Take cuttings using secateurs and place into a polythene bag to keep them moist. Look for new shoots without flower buds.

2 Trim with a knife, cutting just below a node (where a leaf grows from the stem) and, if leafy, remove all but the top pair.

3 Insert cuttings about 4cm deep around the edge of a small pot filled with a 50:50 mix of perlite and peat-free compost.

4 Water your cuttings well and leave the pot in a warm, bright spot. Keep compost just moist and mist foliage daily.