Dear Gardeners,

Were I to embark upon the writing of a book entitled Gardening Without Tears, it would, I think, commence with a chapter upon pruning, for not only does the drastic pruning of some much-loved plant bring forth weeping and gnashing of teeth of the owners, but a lack of knowledge and experience often makes one wonder what to do until you are almost in tears whilst hovering around the plant that has outgrown its bounds....