Cuttings for plant security

Propagate tender perennials before winter, says Ruth

AS the cold weather approaches and we start making undercover space for lifted tender perennials, it is worth taking cuttings from them too.

Your plants are more than likely to survive winter if kept in a well-ventilated, frost-free setting, but I like to take cuttings as an insurance policy, just in case the worst happens and they succumb in winter.

Fuchsia, penstemon and pelargonium cuttings are all easy to take and propagate from and I keep mine either in the greenhouse or on a cool, light windowsill indoors.