Rooting for SucceSS

Taking root cuttings of herbaceous plants allows for the easy propagation of many new plants. It is carried out in winter when the parent plant is dormant. A vigorous specimen is chosen, lifted carefully and the roots washed. Young roots, as thick as a pencil, are selected and cut close to the plant’s crown before it is replanted. The thin end and any fibrous side shoots are removed from the selected roots. Pieces 2-4in (5-10cm) long are cut, with an angled cut at the bottom end. These are pushed into cutting compost until the top end is just below the surface. Spaced at 2in (5cm) apart, they are covered with ⅜in (1cm) grit and lightly watered. The cuttings are put in a cold frame and kept moist but not wet. Once showing signs of growth in spring, they are potted up individually and planted out the following year.