Topic: Hebe propagation

[caroline7758]

I've got a wonderful hebe, Midsummer blue, which started as a cutting from my mother-in-law and is now a bush about 2m wide & the same high! Unfortunately it's outgrown it's space and will have to go, as I don't think it can be pruned hard back, unless anyone can tell me otherwise. Can I take cuttings at this time of year?

[Tee Gee]

Not really!  the tips will be a bit hard now but you could try taking hardwood cuttings or heel cuttings these might take (nothing ventured nothing gained).

Then in July/August you can take semi-ripe cuttings.

Hebe culture; http://tinyurl.com/yq5kf5

Hardwood cuttings; http://tinyurl.com/2fkxbw

Heel cuttings; http://tinyurl.com/ypm6rn

Semi ripe cuttings; http://tinyurl.com/yoqxvm

Click on pics to enlarge!

[caroline7758]

Thanks, teegee- I'll give it a go and keep my fingers crossed!

[fluffygrue]

I hacked one of our Hebes back hard. At the time, I thought it was a Buddleia, so you can imagine the butchering it had! It bounced back really well, so I suppose it depends on what type you have. But then, if you're planning on taking cuttings and getting rid of the parent plant, it's probably worth the risk..

I've just stuck 10" long prunings in the ground and left them, and had about 80% successful rooting. :)

[caroline7758]

I've done some heel cuttings today, but still not sure I can bring myself to dig the whole thing up, so may try hacking it back & see what happens.