Hardwood cuttings are an easy way of taking pieces of woody stem of shrubs, some trees and climbers to grow new plants. It’s done when plants are dormant in winter, when they’ve dropped their leaves.

Use hardwood cuttings to grow more Buddleja, hydrangea, elderflower, cornus, jasmine, honeysuckle, gooseberries, roses, figs and currants. Check online to see if your favourite woody plant is suitable.

1) Cut lengths about 20cm long, ending above and below a growing point (called a node)

In the above photo I’ve cut buddleia sticks into close to 20cm pieces. Although there are three growing points, you don’t need the middle one, but in this case, they’re included to make sure the stick is long enough. Although not clear in the above photo, it’s best practice to cut the top at a slant and the bottom flat. This not only helps you remember which way is up, it helps rain run off the top of the stem preventing infection.

2) Stick the cuttings into a pot of compost or into the ground so at least half is covered

Plonking in the ground is the easiest and most sustainable method as it requires no pots, compost or watering. I’ve put mine in a pot as I don’t have a spot in the ground right now.

3) Keep damp and leave until you see roots growing out of the bottom

This could take 6 months or more, then plant out where you want them or into bigger pots.