Pruning is the removal of unwanted growth from plants. There are several reasons for doing this and the commonest is to impose a shape and structure on plants which will keep them healthy. This type of pruning will give plants a lease of new life in the next season.

Other reasons include training plants into particular shapes and removing diseased material.

Shrubs in particular benefit from pruning even if it is just a 15 minute job each season. But it can be difficult to know which type of pruning is correct for a shrub.

We give you the basic techniques for pruning a shrub plus advice on pruning individual shrubs. Click the picture for more information.

Non-shrub type plants (e.g. annuals, fuchsias, bedding plants). These will also benefit greatly from minimal pruning to keep them healthy and producing more flowers.

Click the picture on the right for basic information and some specific plant information.

Hedges always benefit from pruning to keep them in shape and healthy. There are a few basic rules to follow when first panting a hedge and then later on when pruning them annually.

Click the picture on the right for basic information and some specific plant information.

Some fruiting plants such as soft fruit, apples, pears have special pruning needs. We give you the basic instructions and then point you to our more detailed pruning pages for the major fruits.

Click the picture on the right for basic information and some specific plant information.