Start planning ahead this season

AS October continues to show us her beauty and amazing fall blooms there are still things to do around the garden and lots to plan for.
One of the many autumn tasks is to take cuttings to propagate new plants. This method can be a great way to expand your garden by cloning your favourite perennials, shrubs and herbs.
Some of the best plants for autumn cutting are; herbaceous perennials; like lavender, mint, or rosemary,, semi hard wood shrubs: including hydrangeas camellias, and roses. Deciduous shrubs: Forsythia, viburnum or dogwood and evergreens: like boxwood or holly are also some excellent choices.
There are two main cutting methods. Semi hard wood cutting is taken from the current season’s growth, which has partially matured. This stage of growth is perfect in autumn because the wood is firm but still pliable. Root cuttings can be taken from plants that are dormant in autumn and winter.
Autumn is also when we start to chat about the upcoming bareroot season. This the time of year where plants are dormant and are sold and planted without soil around the roots. This is a less expensive way to plant some new hedging and trees. Some of the most common variety of hedging available are laurel, beech, griselinia, hawthorn, privet and box hedging. These a usually become available in garden centre when the weather starts to get cooler at the end of October and are usually available till end of March. So, if you were need to cover a boundary, now is the time to consider what hedge type you like best.
“October is a symphony of permanence and change, a startling dance between the crisp bite
of autumn air and the warm glow of golden leaves.”