Solanum dulcamara

Take semi-ripe cuttings from summer to early autumn, about 3in long with a heel of older wood. Place around the edge of small pots of multi-purpose compost, place a polythene bag over them and put on a bright windowsill, away from direct sunlight. Gentle heat beneath will speed the formation of roots. The cuttings should root in about four weeks. Pot up individually, protect from frost over winter and plant out in spring.

Take a stem of young growth. Cover the stem with soil with the growing tip out of the soil. Place a large stone over it to hold the stem in place and in a few months it will form roots. Leave for a year and then dig up and plant out.

Solanums prefer a neutral to slightly alkaline (limey), well-drained soil in full sun. Best planted against a wall or trellis to which the adult plant can be tied for training or, as long as they are touched by sun, they can underplant taller shrubs and be encouraged to grow through them.