Group 3 clematis, such as viticellas, Clematis orientalis and some of the late-summer flowering hybrids need reducing

Handle. Pruning saws are designed to be used with one hand, so many have an ergonomically shaped handle for comfort and all should have a non-slip grip, usually rubber or TRP plastic, to give optimum control of the saw. Some have a hand guard to protect the fingers. Look for a saw with a hooked shape to the end of the handle, which will help prevent the hand from slipping off the saw as you’re cutting. Carry out formative pruning of young hardy shrubs and trees – remove thin, twiggy growth and reduce the remaining growth by half its length to encourage a strong framework of new shootsPrune the dead stems of herbaceous perennials at the end of winter to tidy beds and make way for new spring shoots