Practical Pruning (Practical Gardener Series)

Pruning is the number one anxiety of aspiring gardeners who want to train and stimulate their plants but fear they might kill them. Pruning now joins the hugely successful Collins Practical Gardener series to give you the best tips and techniques for pruning your entire garden, from roses and fruit trees to hedges and topiary plants. Pruning retains a plant's shape, improves flowering and fruiting, and keeps foliage and stems healthy. This books guides you through the vast range of tools and equipment that can be used for different pruning tasks and gives you the full understanding of plants necessary for proper pruning. General techniques are followed by a comprehensive A–Z directory of ornamental plants, plus hardy fruit trees, exotic and tender fruits and nuts, and soft fruits. Since the pruning methods required by different plants vary, the specific guidelines are invaluable. A pruner's glossary enables quick reference and, since pruning is more than a once-or-twice-a-year job, the pruner's calendar is an essential reminder of your year-round schedule for keeping your plants at their best. Packed with information, advice and practical tips this informative guide to pruning is the most attractive and down-to-earth reference of its kind. Contents
Assessing your garden
Reasons for pruning
Tools and equipment
Understanding plants
Pruning techniques
Pruning roses
Hedges and topiary
Ornamental plant A–Z directory
Pruning hardy fruit trees
Pruning exotic and tender fruits and nuts
Pruning soft fruits
A pruner's glossary
The pruner's year