Inside the Arboretum

Late Summer: A Season for Multiplying

By late summer in East Texas, the heat can make it feel like there’s little left to do in the garden. The vegetable beds are planted, the spring blooms have faded, and the long, hot afternoons can make even the most dedicated gardener retreat indoors. But there’s one rewarding project that’s always an option in August and September: plant propagation.

Propagation allows you to turn one healthy plant into many, giving you more for your own beds or something to share with friends and neighbors. This time of year is especially good for it: mature plants have plenty of new growth, and warm soil speeds up rooting.

Many familiar outdoor plants in our region respond beautifully to late-summer propagation:

· Coleus – Brightly colored foliage roots easily from cuttings in water or soil.

· Salvia – Cuttings root quickly and will be ready to bloom next year.

· Basil and other tender herbs – Sweet basil, oregano, and lemon balm all root readily.

· Daylilies – Divide clumps and replant for fresh growth in the cooler months.

· Iris – Lift and divide rhizomes to rejuvenate crowded beds.

· Sedum and other hardy succulents – Separate offsets and replant for low-maintenance color.

· Chrysanthemums (mums) – Divide and replant now for fuller fall displays next year.

· Ruellia (Mexican petunia) – Divide root clumps to create more plants for sunny spots.

· Shasta daisies – Divide to keep plants vigorous and blooming.

· Lantana – Take cuttings to start new plants for next season.

While overwatering can be a problem for established plants, new cuttings and divisions in late summer benefit from plenty of extra moisture. Warm temperatures mean faster evaporation, and consistent watering helps young roots get established. Keep the soil evenly moist — not soggy — and, if possible, provide light shade during the hottest part of the day to prevent stress.

If you’d rather add new plants than propagate your own, don’t miss the Gregg County Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale at the Longview Arboretum and Nature Center on Saturday, September 27, 2025! This event is a gardener’s treasure trove, featuring region-friendly plants — all propagated by Master Gardeners right here in Gregg County — along with expert advice to help them thrive. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, it’s the perfect way to bring home new beauty for seasons to come. You’ll find perennials, annuals, natives, tropicals, succulents, ground covers, vines, herbs, bulbs, and even houseplants to brighten your home.

Another plant that’s surprisingly easy to propagate is the Night-blooming Cereus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum), often called the “Queen of the Night.” This stunning plant produces large, fragrant flowers just once a year—only after dark—and each bloom lasts only a few short hours. Native to the deserts of the Southwest and Central America, its sweet scent attracts nighttime pollinators like moths and bats. The plant typically begins blooming at four to five years old, with more blooms as it matures.

The Longview Arboretum is proud to have two of these intriguing plants in our collection, and recently we were treated to quite a show! If you follow us on social media, you may have seen our time-lapse video capturing two blossoms in all their glory. If you missed it, visit www.longviewarboretum.org to experience the magic.

If flowers make your heart sing, mark your calendar for Friday, August 22 at 11:30 AM for the first program in our new Lunch & Learn Series, Cut It Out!. Led by our fabulous Gregg County Master Gardeners, this hands-on class will teach you how to grow and harvest blooms perfect for bouquets. Admission is free and open to the public—just bring your lunch and be ready to dig in!

Whether you’re dividing perennials, trying your hand at cuttings, or simply hunting for your next favorite plant at the Master Gardeners Sale, there’s no better time to visit the Arboretum and discover the joy of growing. From rare blooms to everyday favorites, the Longview Arboretum is here to inspire your green thumb and connect you with a community that shares your passion. Come grow with us!