March gardening tips: Propagate perennials

Young shoots are pushing up in March so now is a good time to propagate geraniums and other herbaceous perennials

XsAy9C8JSqyxasU2eWtvRW.jpg
Lychnis Chalcedonica

Some herbaceous perennials are well into their stride by now, including the hardy geraniums, indispensable, reliable and universally lovely. Just now is a handy time to propagate them, as the young shoots push up. Get an old carving knife, pull away some soil at the edge of the crown, and slice away little groups of shoots with roots attached. Push the soil back, and there's no harm done. Line the plantlets out nursery fashion, firm, label and hoe, and they will make rapid progress for future use as extra plants or gifts, if you can bear to part with them.

Country Life

Bringing the quintessential English rural idle to life via interiors, food and drink, property and more Country Life’s travel content offers a window into the stunning scenery, imposing stately homes and quaint villages which make the UK’s countryside some of the most visited in the world.