December: The Secret Month for Garden Magic
While most gardeners are hibernating, December holds a hidden opportunity to set your garden up for a spectacular spring. Think of it as a head start on next year's blooms! You've likely tucked your garden in for its winter nap and added a protective layer of mulch. But here's where it gets exciting: December is prime time for multiplying your favorite plants through hardwood cuttings.
Garden designer Agata Henderson, a master of transforming outdoor spaces, shares her secrets with Country Living. "Propagating," she says, "is like a gardener's superpower. It's a simple, reliable way to create new plants, especially when you want to clone the exact beauty of a cherished variety."
But which plants are December's propagation stars? Agata reveals her top picks, along with expert tips to ensure your winter gardening efforts blossom into success.
Currants: The Underrated Gems
Agata believes currants are the UK's unsung heroes. With their potential for deliciously sweet and tangy fruits, and their attractive appearance, they deserve a place in every garden.
How to Propagate Currants:
- Choose Wisely: Select healthy, one-year-old shoots with sturdy, straight canes. Avoid spindly growth or old wood. Aim for 10-20 cm (4-8 in) cuttings, as thick as a pencil, with 3-6 healthy buds.
- Cut with Precision: Make a clean, straight cut just below a bud at the base. At the top, cut 1 cm above a bud at a slight angle to encourage water runoff. Label your cuttings with variety and date.
- Plant with Care: Plant directly in a prepared bed or individual pots. Choose a sheltered spot with partial to full sun. Consider dipping cuttings in rooting hormone for a boost.
- Depth Matters: Insert cuttings so 2-3 buds are buried, leaving 1-2 buds above ground. Space cuttings 10-15 cm apart in beds, one per pot. Firm soil gently to remove air pockets.
- Water and Protect: Water thoroughly and apply a thin mulch (bark or straw) to retain moisture and shield from frost.
Grapes: A Taste of Summer in Winter
Agata recommends propagating grapes now, with a special shoutout to the Fragola Grape, a dessert variety bursting with strawberry-like sweetness.
How to Propagate Grapes:
- Dormancy is Key: Ensure the plant is fully dormant and leafless.
- Select the Best: Choose healthy, ripened canes from the previous season, pencil-thick and disease-free. Cut straight at the base and slanted 1 cm above a bud. Label.
- Rooting Boost: Dip the basal end in rooting hormone for better success, especially in challenging conditions.
- Planting Options: Trench planting: Dig a 15-20 cm deep trench, lay cuttings horizontally or slightly angled, covering 2-3 buds. Space 20-30 cm apart. Pot planting: Use tall, free-draining pots, planting the basal end 8-10 cm deep.
- Care and Protection: Water well, mulch lightly, and protect from rodents. A windbreak can be helpful in exposed areas.
Hydrangeas: December's Delicate Darlings
While not all hydrangeas are suitable for December propagation, Hydrangea paniculata and Hydrangea arborescens thrive with hardwood cuttings.
How to Propagate Hydrangeas:
- Choose the Right Cuttings: Opt for straight, firm stems from this year's growth, avoiding flowering tips. Take 15-20 cm cuttings with 2-3 pairs of leaf nodes. Cut just below a node at the bottom and just above a node at the top.
- Prepare Cuttings: Remove leaves, leaving buds intact.
- Planting: Insert cuttings half to two-thirds deep into 9-10 cm pots filled with well-draining, slightly moist soil.
- Provide Shelter: Keep cuttings in a cold frame, unheated greenhouse, or sheltered outdoor spot. They should root by late spring/early summer.
Roses: A Classic Beauty to Multiply
Hardwood cuttings work best for shrub roses, climbers, ramblers, and old garden roses. Modern hybrid teas prefer softwood cuttings.
How to Propagate Roses:
- Select Healthy Stems: Choose 20-25 cm sections from dormant canes, mature and firm from this year's growth, pencil-thick and disease-free.
- Strategic Cuts: Cut straight 2 cm above a bud at the top, and at an angle just below a bud at the bottom. Remove leaves and thorns, lightly scrape the base, and dip in rooting hormone.
- Planting: Insert two-thirds of the cutting into gritty compost or a sheltered outdoor bed.
- Patience is Key: Keep soil moist, protect from extremes, and wait for rooting by late spring.
Agata's December Propagation Pro Tips:
- Sharp Tools: Use clean, sharp secateurs for clean cuts.
- Label Everything: Winter's uniformity can be confusing - label cuttings clearly.
- Timing Matters: Avoid cutting during frosts; choose mild days.
- Rain Protection: Shield pots from heavy rain to prevent rot.
- Hands Off: Resist the urge to check on cuttings until spring.
Pruning Essentials
For more gardening wisdom and lifestyle inspiration, follow Becky, a Somerset-based freelance journalist whose work graces publications like Cosmopolitan, The Independent, and The Telegraph. When she's not writing, Becky enjoys cozy living with her family and their energetic Welsh collie, Cookie.
Controversial Question: Do you think December is too late for gardening, or is it a hidden gem for plant propagation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
