August is a good time to take semi-ripe cuttings from shrubs, climbers and herbs, and to start thinking ahead to ordering spring-flowering bulbs.3,,6
Why semi-ripe cuttings work now
Semi-ripe cuttings are taken from stems that grew this season and have started to firm up at the base while the tip is still soft.1,,4 That mix of sturdiness and active growth is what makes them root reliably without any special equipment or skill.2
The window for taking them runs from late summer into early autumn, so late August through September is prime time.1,,4 Miss softwood season in spring and this is your reliable second chance to multiply a plant you love for free.3
What to take cuttings from
Semi-ripe cuttings suit a wide range of hardy climbers, herbs, ground-cover plants, deciduous shrubs and evergreen shrubs and trees.1 Climbing plants such as ivy, passion flower, and Trachelospermum star jasmine take particularly well from this method.1
Among evergreen shrubs, good candidates include Artemisia (wormwood), Berberis (barberry), Camellia, Ceanothus (California lilac), Choisya (Mexican orange blossom), Cistus (rock rose), Erica (heather), Hebe, Fatsia, Mahonia and Viburnum.1 Hydrangeas and roses are also classic choices for late-summer propagation.6
Deciduous shrubs and hedging plants respond well too, as do conifers.1 If a cutting attempt in spring failed because the whole shoot was too soft, semi-ripe wood later in the season gives a sturdier, more reliable stem to work with.4
How to take a semi-ripe cutting
Choose a healthy stem grown this season, where the base feels firm but the growing tip is still soft.1 This firm-base, soft-tip combination is the defining feature of semi-ripe wood, distinct from the fully soft stems used for softwood cuttings taken earlier in the year.4
Take your cuttings from strong, disease-free growth on a well-watered plant.
Pot cuttings into free-draining compost and keep them out of direct, scorching sun while they root. Water gently to keep the compost just moist, not waterlogged, since soggy compost is a common cause of rot in new cuttings.
Order spring bulbs this month
Late summer and early autumn is also the time to plant spring-flowering bulbs, so ordering now means your bulbs arrive in time for planting.6
Store bulbs somewhere cool, dry and dark until you are ready to plant, and keep them away from children and pets, since some bulb types can cause stomach upset if eaten. Plant into well-drained soil or containers once temperatures start to cool in autumn.
Common mistakes to avoid
Taking cuttings too early, while the whole stem is still soft, is a classic error. Wait until the base has genuinely firmed up, because fully soft wood taken too early is far more likely to wilt and fail.4
Letting cuttings dry out is another common failure point.
Ordering bulbs late is a budget-friendly mistake that costs you choice, not money. Ordering in August, well ahead of the autumn planting window, is the simplest way to guarantee availability.6
Budget-friendly tips
Propagating shrubs and herbs from cuttings costs nothing beyond compost and a pot, and it lets you turn one favourite plant into several without buying new stock.3 Sharing cuttings and divided bulbs with neighbours or gardening friends is a free way to build variety in your own beds.
Ordering spring bulbs early, rather than waiting for last-minute autumn stock, often means a wider and cheaper selection before demand peaks.6
Safety notes
Keep secateurs, knives and any garden chemicals stored safely away from children and pets.
Some bulbs are not safe to eat, so keep unplanted bulbs away from curious pets and young children until they are safely in the ground.
Quick-reference checklist
- Order spring-flowering bulbs now for autumn planting and best variety choice.6
- Take semi-ripe cuttings from late summer into early autumn.1,,4
- Choose stems with a firm base and a soft tip.1,,4
- Good candidates: climbers like ivy and passion flower; shrubs like Camellia, Ceanothus, Hebe, Viburnum, hydrangeas and roses.1,,6
- Use clean tools and free-draining compost; keep moist, not soggy.
- Store bulbs cool, dry and dark, away from children and pets, until planting time.