This richly illustrated volume devoted to pruning, one of the most important yet largely overlooked aspects of gardening, provides up-to-date techniques and step-by-step drawings helpful to both beginning and experienced gardeners. The book's first chapters are devoted to basic techniques and essential tools, while its heart features an illustrated directory of hundreds of ornamental plants. Each account explains whether a particular plant benefits from pruning, and if so, how and when to do it. An invaluable reference book, Pruning will give gardeners at any level of skill the confidence to enjoy one of the most interesting, creative, and rewarding activities and to derive the benefits from improved plant performance.