Take Rosemary Cuttings

What gardener wouldn’t want more rosemary plants about the place? An evergreen sun-lover that not only has ornamental value as a drought tolerant flowering shrub (fantastic news in weather like we’ve had this summer!), it’s also useful all year round as the most perfect aromatic herb with roast potatoes.

You can propagate this all-singing, all-dancing all-rounder now via semi-ripe cuttings, from sections of cut stem that have all the fresh green growth at the top, and woodier, older growth at the bottom. Seed-grown rosemary is a lengthy business, taking a long time to grow. Make it easier for yourself with ‘vegetative’ propagation instead – that is asexual reproduction from plant material.

Unfortunately rosemary plants have a limited shelf life in regards to productivity, especially if not pruned regularly – they’re woody herbs that get leggy and large, with old growth not producing fresh shoots. Once this happens it’s best to replace the plants; if this has happened to you, taking cuttings is the best option.

Don’t let cuttings dry out – they need moisture as young, growing plants, but will need less of it once they’ve rooted. Pot on cuttings once rooted, and pinch out the tip to create a bushy plant. Plant out in full sun in spring.