This is an easy-to-follow manual for successful pruning without stress, from basic principles to more advanced techniques. It features specific pruning guidance for every type of plant, including floribunda roses, shrub roses, climbing roses, clematis, honeysuckle, wisteria, pyracantha, hedges, fruit trees, espaliers, cordons and soft fruit bushes. It explains cutting back to the ground, deadheading and shaping with shears, restraining evergreens, shortening new growth and rejuvenating neglected plants. It contains an illustrated guide to specialist tools and equipment, such as pruning shears, loppers, pruning knives, saws, hedge shears and hedge trimmers. It includes a useful checklist of the most popular shrubs, with advice on the pruning techniques suited to each. It features 50 step-by-step techniques and pruning projects, with over 370 clear and informative photographs. As well as being important for plant health, pruning can be a very therapeutic and enjoyable task, and this beautifully illustrated book provides expert advice to help you tackle the job with confidence and satisfaction. All the key rules of pruning are explained in a clear way, to ensure successful results throughout the year. After a section on equipment, the basic techniques are set out in detail - including deadheading, shaping and trimming - each appropriate to a variety of plants and situations. All the most popular plants are covered, such as roses, clematis, hedges and fruit bushes. There is also a cross-reference checklist which provides a handy guide to the pruning techniques suited to each type of shrub. For every gardener who wants pruning success without the stress, this book is an essential companion.