Of all the many garden jobs, that of pruning, especially of shrubs, is the one least understood by most gardeners. True, most can give the bush roses their annual trim back, often in March or even early April, but judging by the way some Local Authorities treat shrubs and trees, the word prune seems to mean "get the shears out and knock them hard back." With some trees, it is diabolical to see them beheaded; this is after the word "training" has been banded about for a good many years!! Pruning our many lovely shrubs may not mean an annual clip, indeed, some never need touching if growing in the right position. I'm thinking particularly of the Rhododendron and Magnolia genus; others like the Buddlia Davidii group and some deciduous Ceatothus need hard pruning each spring.

As a guide, prune after flowering, but there are no rules really, so much depends on the season’s growth and the shrub itself. Shrubs that bloom in late winter and early spring are pruned immediately after flowering to make new growth for the following crop.

Those that flower May to July need only old worn out bits removing, Lilac, Philadelphus, Ribes and Weigelias are examples.

For the later shrubs, July onwards, these use the current growth to flower on and, as I've already mentioned, these are cut back usually in February. The large hybrid Clematis are in this later group.

For evergreens it may not be desirable to prune, but where it is, spring is the optimum time, but only after flowering. Old tall laurels and some Rhododendra species can be rejuvenated by cutting hard back to the thick stems, as can Box, Oleeria Hoastii and some Veronica species. Now we come to the popular hedge of Cupressocyparis Leylandii, when to trim that hedge? A start can be made in June and, if necessary, another clip in late August or September, but no later. Yew also can be done in September, but I like to end cutting all coniferous plants by the end of August in the North Country.

The hornbeam and beech hedge also is best done in August to allow short shoots to grow and keep the brown leaves during the winter. Planners of bowling greens please note, beech leaves blow for years from under the hedge!!

A final word on shrub pruning taught to me at Wisley, "If in doubt, leave it another year."

The snowdrops are out and buds are swelling on lots of plants. I saw a magnolia tree last month with buds so big it seemed as though spring was about to start; that was on Jan the 8th and a plant of gentian varnia was in bloom.

Did the gales last month do any damage? Nothing compared to the terrible scenes we witnessed on TV, my few roof tiles can soon be put back and the plumb tree that shed a branch or two is nothing, we are a lucky race. I must not grumble so much this year when things go wrong. The spring cabbage look hungry, so I will apply a dressing of ammonia, and be thankful.

Knee: a device for finding stones in your garden.

I always thought a yard was three feet, then I started mowing the lawn.

A man walks into a flower shop, "I'd like some flowers for my wife, please."
"Certainly, Sir. What did you have in mind?"
He shrugs, "Well I'm not sure, I er, I er, I er..."
"Perhaps I could help, sir.  What exactly is it that you have done?"