How to take softwood penstemon cuttings

Summer is an ideal time to take softwood cuttings from penstemons. These will root quickly to give you new plants for next year's border. Select non-flowering shoots from the plants, cutting them off first thing in the morning.

Discover how to take penstemon cuttings, below.

You Will Need

• Penstemon
• Secateurs
• Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
• 10cm pot
• Clear polythene bags

Total time: 15 minutes

Step 1

Use sharp secateurs to cut just below a leaf joint, about 10cm from the tip of your shoot. Then, strip off the lower leaves.

Step 2

Insert the cuttings into compost around the edges of the pot, where drainage is better.

Step 3

Water well and keep the cuttings in humid conditions, such as inside a plastic bag.