RHS Handbook: Pruning & Training

About this book

This comprehensive guide to pruning and training includes detailed instructions on all the key techniques for tackling roses, fruit trees & bushes, shrubs, hedges, ornamental trees, climbers and even perennials. It features a Pruning Directory of more than 160 common plants for quick reference and is fully illustrated throughout. Colour step-by-step drawings and clear photography makes each technique easy to follow to help you save money, time and effort with RHS best practice.

Contents

INTRODUCTION

RULES & TOOLS
Introduction
Pruning techniques
Tools & equipment
Understanding pruning terms

PERENNIALS
Introduction
Staking
Autumn cutback

ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS
Introduction
Pruning deciduous shrubs
Minimal deciduous pruning
Hard deciduous pruning
Pruning evergreen shrubs
Minimal evergreen pruning
Shrub renovation
Topiary masterclass

ORNAMENTAL TREES
Introduction
Tree forms & shapes
Feathered trees
Branch-headed standards
Removing large & different branch types
Removing unwanted growth
Other tree pruning techniques
Tree renovation
Tree problems

CLIMBERS
Introduction
Pruning climbers & wall plants
Clematis
Wisteria
Honeysuckle
Wall shrubs

HEDGES
Introduction
Formative pruning of a deciduous hedge
Formative pruning of an evergreen hedge
Formative pruning of a conifer hedge
Pruning established hedges
Hedge renovation

ROSES
Introduction
Annual pruning programme
Bush roses
Shrub roses
Standard roses
Climbing & rambling roses
Rose renovation

FRUIT TREES & BUSHES
Fruit tree introduction
Apples & pears
Plums, damsons & gages
Cherries
Peaches & nectarines
Renovating & restoring neglected fruit trees
Soft fruit introduction
Black currants
Gooseberries, red & white currants
Raspberries
Blackberries & hybrid berries
Blueberries
Grapevines

PRUNING DIRECTORY
INDEX
PICTURE CREDITS

Customer Reviews

Biography

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK's leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening. Its charitable work includes providing expert advice and information, training the next generation of gardeners, creating hands-on opportunities for children to grow plants and conducting research into plants, pests and environmental issues affecting gardeners. For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk, This series is written by a team of The Royal Horticultural Society experts. The RHS is at the forefront of a gardening revolution in which received wisdom is questioned and updated. The book is the result of more than 100 years of practical experience in gardens across the world.