Some shrubs, trees and plants don’t set seed easily and are best propagated from part of the original plant that can be persuaded to develop roots.
Stem cuttings
Plants that can be propagated from stem cuttings include delphinium, geranium, pelargonium, chrysanthemum, dahlia, fuchsia and many shrubs. Stem-tip cuttings need to be cut to below a leaf joint and the bottom leaves removed. Dip into a hormone rooting powder and push around the edge of a pot filled with seed and cutting compost. Keep warm and moist. Basal cuttings from delphiniums should be trimmed from the mother plant and pushed into the compost.
Many deciduous and evergreen shrubs are easy to propagate from hardwood stem cuttings.
Leaf cuttings
Some leaves can root and produce a new plant where the veins of the leaf have been cut. Cut the veins on the underside of a Begonia rex leaf and pin this down onto a bed of seed and cutting compost.
Root cuttings
New plants of phlox, anchusa and oriental poppy can be achieved from 3cm (1in) of a fleshy root buried 1cm below the surface of seed and cutting compost.
Plant division
Perennial plants that spread outwards after a few years will need to be split into smaller sections and re-planted so that each has its own space. Dig up the plant and shake off as much soil from the roots as possible. Push two garden forks back to back into the clump to prise the roots apart. When you have small enough sections, plant in enriched soil at a similar depth to the original plant.
