Yes, the wind blows a little bit colder, the days are rapidly getting shorter, and suddenly every coffee shop menu is filled with pumpkin-spiced everything, but that doesn't mean you have to hang up your gardening gloves just yet. In fact, you’ll need them for all the shrubs you can propagate in September.
Fall is that magical Goldilocks moment for woody plants – not too green, not too tough – which makes their stems perfect for rooting. Propagating plants from cuttings is one of the easiest ways to get yourself a whole new collection of shrubs to plant next spring, and works with both semi-hardwood and softwood cuttings.
This is especially great as it won’t cost you a cent – although it’s worth splashing out on a rooting hormone of some kind, such as Doff’s Natural Rooting Powder from Amazon. Mind you, if you’re more DIY-inclined, some gel from a freshly harvested aloe vera leaf should do the trick just as nicely.
10 Shrubs You Can Propagate in September
Whether you’re in a warm southern zone, bracing for frost up north, or in one of the many other USDA plant hardiness zones in between, you can make your garden work all the harder for you if you brush up on all the shrubs you can propagate in September.
All you really need for this surprisingly meditative garden task is a pair of good, sharp, and – above all else – clean pruners. Of course, most pros will use something like Amazon’s Felco F2 Pruners, but you can also pick up a bargainous 3-Pack Stainless Steel Pruning Snips from Amazon, too.
With these in hand, then, here’s the shrubs to set to work on. And don’t forget your gardening gloves…
1. Hebe
Evergreen, neat, and always stylish thanks to their striking spikes of blooms, hebes (which are best suited to USDA Zones 6–11) are basically the little black dress of the shrub world; they're perfect for any and all situations.
Take semi-hardwood cuttings now, then, and pop them in gritty compost: you can buy something like Perfect Plants Organic Garden Coir from Amazon, or try mixing two parts potting mix to one part vermiculite, sand, or perlite for that perfectly coarse base.
All that's left to do is show your baby hebe cuttings some love, and they’ll reward you with glossy foliage and cheerful flowers next year. Promise.
2. Butterfly Bush
Also known as Buddleia davidii, the butterfly bush – so named for its ability to attract butterflies and beneficial insects – can be spotted all over the country in all its resplendent glory throughout USDA Zones 5–9 (with some varieties even suited up to 10).
If you’ve already got one of these ornamental garden must-haves, we have some good news for you: it’s one of those shrubs you can propagate in September, with cuttings taken now rooting ever so quickly.
Honestly, it'll just take a few snips and you’ll soon be able to spread the butterfly buffet all over your garden… or share the love with friends and family, of course.
3. Hydrangea
Whether you’re team mophead or team lacecap, you’ll never regret having more than one hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.) in your garden – especially as these little beauties thrive in USDA Zones 3–9. There are even some varieties of hydrangeas that bloom in autumn, for those who dream of fall colour.
Thankfully, these are ideal shrubs to propagate in September, as their semi-hardwood cuttings root readily. Which means, yes, you'll soon have more vivid blue and pink flowers than you'll know what to do with.
Just remember to label them if you want to keep track of what shade and hue is going to bloom where...
4. Salvia
Salvias (Salvia spp.) are pollinator magnets with a flair for late-season drama, not to mention wonderfully drought-tolerant. As a matter of fact, there are over 900 species of this popular garden perennial to choose from – and it’s incredibly easy to root salvia cuttings, so they’re well suited to a dash of propagation magic.
All you have to do is snip softwood tips now, then, and you’ll have plenty of extras ready to put on a show next year. Which, considering how heavenly the foliage smells when you brush past it, can only be a good thing.
5. Felicia Daisy
Cheerful, daisy-like blooms in blue or white make Felicia daisies (Felicia spp.) a garden favourite, and, while this sub-shrub is perennial in USDA zones 9 and 10, its pretty blooms are grown as an annual in most climates.
Adding it to your list of shrubs you can propagate in September, then, is a must; overwinter those softwood cuttings indoors and you’ll be rewarded when its bright flowers appear again next spring.
6. Lemon Verbena
One whiff of the lemon verbena herb (Aloysia citrodora) and its fragrantsherbety goodness, and you’ll be hooked on this tender perennial for life.
Still, while you can use the leaves and flowers in teas, you can also take cuttings now and keep them warm through winter if you're fond of this one. Especially as it means you'll have pots upon pots of citrus-scented joy ready for iced teas, desserts, and cocktails aplenty next summer...
7. Camellia
Another of our favourite shrubs to propagate in September, the glossy evergreen joy of a not-so-humble camellia (Camellia spp.) is an easy way to bring elegance to the garden when little else is blooming.
Don't expect instant results with this one, as semi-hardwood cuttings taken now may take their time to root. Still, it's well worth the effort, as all of your patience will pay off in gorgeous winter flowers.
8. Boxwood
Formal hedges, clipped balls, or quirky shapes: let’s face it, the boxwood (Buxus spp.) does it all. Buying them can be pricey, though, so why not grow your own?
Yes, semi-hardwood cuttings from this popular shrub root well in September, and you can start designing your topiary empire for free if you live in USDA Zones 4–9. Just remember that you will need well-drained soil (preferably organic) if you want yours to do well when it comes to planting out.
9. Escallonia
With its glossy leaves and bee-friendly flowers, escallonia (Escallonia spp.) is a hard-working evergreen that does well in USDA Zones 7–9. Better still, it’s one of those shrubs you can propagate in September, as cuttings taken now root well if kept moist and shaded.
Essentially, consider this one a propagation must-do if you’re after a lovely flowering hedge with year-round appeal. Just make sure you have the full sun and well-drained soil it needs to look its best first, OK?
10. Spirea
Low-maintenance and generous with blooms, spirea (Spiraea spp.) is perfect for borders and hedges in just about any growing zone.
Better still? Semi-hardwood cuttings snipped from this beloved shrub in September usually take with ease, so you can fill your garden without worrying about burning a hole in your wallet.
FAQs
What to propagate in September?
Whether it’s softwood for tender plants, semi-hardwood for woody shrubs, September is the sweet spot for propagating both. Just use a sharp knife or pruners, remove lower leaves, and dip the cut end in rooting hormone for a confidence boost – and remember: patience is a virtue, as some shrubs (like camellia) will prove slow to root.
Propagating shrubs in September is one of those small gardening wins that pays off in spades. Just a few snips now can give you a whole hedge, border, or pollinator haven next year – and all for free, too!
And really, who doesn’t want more plants without the garden-centre bill? Happy snipping.
