Pruning Ornamental Shrubs (Wisley Handbook)

Pruning is a rewarding activity for the experienced gardener. A well pruned shrub has good shape and balance, is healthy and vigorous, and flowers better than its neglected neighbour. Good pruning enhances leaf shape, size and colour, and allows the gardener to maximize the decorative effects of his ornamental shrubs. But which shrubs to prune, and how, and when? Time and method are critical. Not all shrubs need to be pruned every year: without proper guidance, damaging mistakes are all too easily made. This book explains the basic principles of pruning, and shows how easily they can be applied to a wide range of pupular shrubs. Advice is given shrub-by-shrub, to enable even the beginner to prune with confidence.