Taking basal cuttings

Q I want to fill gaps by planting large swathes of herbaceous perennials.

- Jenny Newmarch

I will buy a few, but would like to save money by propagating existing ones, plus those of friends. Can I take cuttings? Jenny Newmarch, Crewe, Cheshire

A credited Filling borders with perennials chosen to thrive in the soil and climate available is a good, reasonably low maintenance way of enjoying plenty of flowers. There will be weeding while the plants are young; some will benefit from supports; in time, groups may need to be lifted, divided and reset into newly conditioned soil; and the previous season's dead stems will need to come off by late February or March prior to mulching. Stocking borders with fourfive new plants per square metre is potentially costly, so raising them from cuttings is a great budget-friendly idea.