13 Plants to Propagate in August

August brings late summer season warmth, fluctuating climate, and the ultimate section of warm-season development for a lot of of our crops. Whereas spring and early summer season are sometimes one of the best occasions for propagation, there are a number of causes to propagate crops in August. 

A few of our favourite annuals are winding down, and particular ones could also be value replicating for the next season. It’s time to divide choose perennials to develop the colony.

Woody shrubs nonetheless have simply sufficient tender development to make use of for cuttings earlier than they put together for dormancy. Seeds are dropping and scattering to overwinter in place, and vigorous herbs could also be in want of a very good trim, creating ready-to-use recent stems for straightforward rooting.

Tender perennials and tropicals, too, profit from a final spherical of propagating earlier than shifting them indoors or forfeiting them to chilly temperatures. To develop your assortment and fill your backyard, propagate these crops this August.

Late Summer season Propagation

Whether or not semi-ripe cuttings, floor layering, division, or seeding, propagating crops in August brings the formidable gardener winter tasks and a head begin on subsequent season’s development. 

Cuttings from shrubs, perennials, annuals, and herbs depend on recent, pliable development. Cuttings we take this season will want winter safety or overwintering indoors for spring transplanting. Take snips of bushy herbs to get pleasure from in water on a windowsill by winter. 

Cuttings taken in late summer season may fit for deciduous shrubs, together with hydrangea, roses, and forsythia. For one of the best success, attempt taking cuttings early within the month. Over the winter, maintain them in a greenhouse or protected space as they develop roots.

Lavender

To get pleasure from extra soothing lavender, propagate this plant in August by taking cuttings or stem layering. For cuttings, use solely recent inexperienced development. Keep away from reducing into the brown, woody branches towards the crown. Make the lower into inexperienced stems two to 3 inches above the woody portion.

For one of the best stems to layer, search for low-growing, pliable ones with wholesome new development and barely woody bases. They need to be not less than 4 inches lengthy and in a position to bend to the soil stage. Preserve the stem connected to the mom plant.

Decide the place the stem finest meets the soil, and take away the leaves round this part. Utilizing sterilized snips or a blade, calmly scratch and scuff the underside of the section. Dig a shallow trench and place the scuffed portion in it, overlaying the stem with soil. With the stem in place, anchor or “peg” it to carry. A sod staple or rock does the trick.

Depart the layers in place for six to eight weeks to develop wholesome roots for transplanting. Preserve the sections evenly moist till frost, taking care to not create overly moist circumstances. If the stem reveals good rooting, clip the younger plant from the mom and situate it in its new backyard location, or pot it up for overwintering.

Bearded Iris

Bearded iris blooms in spring with frilly, colourful flowers that final into summer season. By August, they’re prepared for dividing and transplanting.

Late summer season or August is one of the best time to propagate these crops or to maneuver current rhizomes. The nice and cozy climate provides them time to ascertain earlier than cool temperatures roll in. Each few years, dividing established clumps can cut back crowding and develop the gathering.

Plan to separate the colony from one month after its summer season flowering up till early fall. Purpose to retain just a few inches of the rhizome with not less than one of many fanning leaf blades connected. Trim the leaf in half and replant the rhizome with the highest simply above soil stage.

Sturdy spreaders like bearded iris profit from lowering crowding and controlling the unfold each one to 3 years, whereas slower picks like Siberian solely want it each six to 10 years.

Irises tolerate varied soil sorts, from acidic to clay to sand. They develop finest in moist and well-drained circumstances however are fairly drought-tolerant.

Daylily

Daylilies are of hardy inventory, dealing with difficult websites and surviving for years with little care. Whether or not in a tended backyard or an deserted homesite, the powerful perennials produce their prolific flowers with long-lasting coloration. 

In August, their strappy foliage can present put on and tear. It might yellow and flop. In the reduction of aged bloom stalks and any leaves which might be yellow or dry. Propagate the perennials this month by digging and dividing the clumps with a pointy spade or blade. Transplant the divisions to their new areas, and maintain them well-watered for even moisture as they set up.

Adaptable daylilies deal with the warmth as they develop roots earlier than chilly climate arrives. Water by frost to set them up for profitable overwintering.

Rose

Whereas we often take rose cuttings from recent development in spring and early summer season, you’ll be able to propagate these crops in August in the event you shield the tender shoots over the winter. The flowering shrubs propagate in late summer season by semi-hardwood cuttings of lively development.

When taking cuttings, intention for a department that doesn’t have flowers. If it does maintain a bud, bloom, or hip, take away them so the shoot directs power to forming roots. Lower a six-inch piece of wholesome, pliable stem simply above a leaf node. Lower the stem at a 45-degree angle, and take away the foliage from the underside ½ of the reducing, maintaining any higher leaves intact.

Stick the reducing at about half its size in a pot with moist, well-draining potting combine. Vermiculite and perlite make appropriate mixtures. Place the pot in a vibrant, heat location, avoiding direct daylight. Water usually to maintain the soil evenly moist. When roots take maintain and new development emerges, transplant to a bigger pot for overwintering.

Take a number of cuttings, as not all could grow to be viable. Rose cuttings could take just a few years to turn into full, multi-stemmed crops, however cuttings are a straightforward solution to reproduce the father or mother plant and are comparatively simple to attempt.

Petunia

Petunias and their lengthy stems make them an excellent plant to propagate in August. They root in water or potting media, making it simple to protect favourite heirlooms or colours. It may take 5 to 6 weeks for a profitable reducing to be prepared for transplanting, and so they’ll be prepared for the backyard by spring with overwintering indoors.

Choose recent stems, ideally with out flowers or with the buds and blooms eliminated, and clip a 4 to six-inch size. Pinch leaves off the decrease portion of the reducing, leaving one or two units intact towards the highest.

Towards the top of summer season, petunias profit from a trim in the event that they’re trying leggy and sparse. It might rejuvenate development for a last flush of blooms heading into fall. When taking clippings, lower the inexperienced stems simply above a leaf node so the remaining stem will generate new development.

Rosemary

Whereas it’s best to propagate rosemary from softwood cuttings in spring and early summer season, it’s attainable to root semi-ripe cuttings after they end flowering later within the season. As with lavender, search for malleable, recent, nonwoody stems. Lower a six-inch part of inexperienced stem and strip the decrease leaves.

Rosemary roots in water or potting media, with roots forming inside a couple of month. With semi-ripe cuttings, it might take longer for them to be prepared for potting up. Search for wholesome, white roots to be longer than half an inch earlier than potting them up. Preserve the cuttings moist however not over-saturated as they develop.

Rosemary grows indoors year-round and perennializes in delicate climates. Preserve them protected till the temperature warms in spring.

Hydrangea

These crops propagate in August by way of cuttings and floor layering. In case you have a favourite you need to clone, both technique does the trick. Take cuttings from new development with leafy stems freed from flowers. 

Clip the stems simply above a leaf node, and cut back them to 4 to six-inch lengths. Preserve not less than a set of two leaves intact per reducing, and lower the massive leaves in half to scale back moisture loss. Hydrangeas develop from summer season cuttings in about 4 to 6 weeks.

Layering hydrangea stems mimics one thing the crops do naturally. Low stems make contact with the soil and start to ascertain roots. As roots strengthen, the offshoot turns into self-sufficient and may separate from the father or mother plant. 

Just like the woody sub-shrub lavender, select a bendable stem to decrease to the bottom. Scuff the portion that makes soil contact, and dig a small one to two-inch trench. Tuck within the department, and canopy the scuffed stem with soil. Weight it with a brick, rock, or sod staple to carry it in place.

Preserve the portion evenly moist till frost. For ease of overwintering, go away it in place till separating the brand new plant in spring.

Fuchsia

Tropical fuchsia overwinters indoors as a houseplant, however it may be finicky because it strikes between seasons and conditions. To avoid wasting a portion of your specialty picks (and to make replicas) in August, propagate these crops from cuttings.

For a full, leafy kind loaded with blooms, fuchsia advantages from pinching the stems through the rising season, stopping earlier than fall’s first frost. Use clippings in August to propagate extra crops, maintaining them in a heat spot with vibrant, oblique mild.

The tropicals regrow shortly, however keep away from making heavy cuts throughout peak summer season temperatures, as they preserve power in excessive warmth moderately than direct it to development.

Scented-Leaved Geranium

Scented-leaved geraniums are among the many quite a few species of Pelargonium and are grown for his or her shapely, fragrant foliage and natural qualities. They’re versatile within the backyard and containers, indoors and out. They develop properly as houseplants with summers spent open air.

It’s best to propagate geraniums early within the season earlier than flowering, however it’s attainable to take them anytime. New, wholesome, tender development is finest. Plan to root them in water or soil, rising them out in pots earlier than transitioning them open air in spring’s warming circumstances.

Begonia

Begonias deliver their dynamic foliage to complement the warm-season show. Like geraniums, they develop indoors as houseplants within the cool season. With their tuberous, water-filled stems and distinguished leaf nodes, they’re additionally simple to propagate. 

Take cuttings within the heat season throughout lively development. Root them in soil or water and wait just a few weeks for roots to develop. Step them as much as small pots when stems resist a mild tug – an indication that sturdy roots are current.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a vigorous spreading herb with invigorating lemony foliage. The low-growing, mounding perennials are really easy to develop that they will typically unfold aggressively. Preserving them orderly in containers, raised beds, and with common harvesting/trimming helps management the unfold.

By late summer season, lemon balm is prepared for a refresh. Evenly trim trailing stems and use wholesome parts as cuttings. Seize leaf nodes alongside the stem to root in water or potting media. It may take a month for them to develop roots which might be lengthy sufficient for transplanting.

Honeysuckle

The North American native coral honeysuckle and different decorative vines within the species propagate this month from stem cuttings or layering.

For extra of the succulent trumpet blooms in vibrant colours that entice hummingbirds and different pollinators, clip lengths from the ideas of stems. Stick them in potting media and allow them to develop roots which might be a number of inches lengthy for bumping up into bigger pots or transplanting.

Floor layering is a straightforward solution to make extra vines. As with hydrangeas, stretch a portion of the woody vine all the way down to the bottom. Scuff the stem and canopy it with soil, anchoring it with a rock or pin for stabilization. Preserve the soil evenly moist to encourage root development.

After a few months, test the stem for prolonged roots. Transplant it earlier than frosty climate, or maintain it connected to the mom plant till spring.

The Lonicera genus holds 180 species, some native to North America and others invasive exotics. Selecting the best honeysuckle brings a vigorous, well-behaved vine stuffed with coloration and perfume. 

Cosmos

Cosmos make our record of crops to propagate in August as they naturally reseed in late summer season and fall. Let the North American native annual drop and scatter seeds naturally for a present of coloration the next season.

Cease deadheading in mid to late summer season to advertise reseeding. The seeds additionally present forage for songbirds.

Sow a last spherical of cosmos this month for fast coloration main into fall. They bloom in about 50 to 60 days from sowing. Be certain that an August sowing permits loads of time to benefit from the flowers earlier than the primary anticipated frost date.