The pink has been a feature of British gardens for centuries, and continues to provide floral beauty in abundance without fuss. It can be easily propagated at this time of year by layering. Take a non-flowering shoot and tease it gently out straight. With care, make a knife cut in the shoot and open it up. Ruffle up the soil and work the cut shoot into it, pinning it down with a length of wire bent like a hairpin. Water and wait. In time, the cut tissue will form roots, and you can separate the new plant from its mother.
* Subscribe to Country Life and save 30%
-
‘Whatever do you do up there?’ enquire certain English infidels. The answer? ‘Lady, if ya gotta ask, ya’ll never know’: David Profumo's piece of heaven in Highland PerthshireDavid Profumo on the joy and wonder of the Highlands.
-
I lichen the look of you: A rare lichen-covered fingerpost that's been frozen in time and donated to the Natural History MuseumA fingerpost, covered in 12 different species of lichen, has been donated to the Natural History Museum by Exmoor National Park — but they had some trouble getting it there.
