No gardener should be without a pair of brilliant garden shears - professional or beginner - owning sharp and durable shears is a must.
With summer fully underway, it’s time to get in the garden, enjoy the sun and start pruning those overgrown hedges, or bothersome trees that have grown a little too long in the leaf.
Plant health and thriving plant growth can all be promoted with a bit of pruning, honestly a little goes a long way. Blunt and rusty blades will not ensure a clean cut and can increase the chances of diseases, and we don’t want that.
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What can you use garden shears for?
• Cut branches and stems
• Shape and trim hedges
• Cut garden waste for easier disposal
• Trimming flowers and plants for display and arrangements
Shiny new, precision-cutting and durable shears provide the necessary power to keep your hedges and plants healthy and in check.
Check out our selection of the best garden shears, available right now, to help you regain control of your garden.
The best garden shears for precision-cutting trims
1 of 7Spear and Jackson Razorsharp Telescopic Hedge Shears
Specifications:
Blade material: Carbon steel
Shear size: 68 cm
Additional features: Telescopic shearing, lightweight aluminium handles
Pros / cons:
Pros:
Very tough
Lightweight
Telescopic cutting makes it very easy to trim difficult-to-reach places
Cons:
Some users had loose tension bolt (rare)
Overview:
Lightweight aluminium telescopic handles, with shock absorber grips, these shears have won gold awards for their greatness.
Customer review: "Really sharp, strong feeling shears, the telescopic section runs smoothly and feels secure once locked in place. We have a lot of Beech hedging which needs to be kept under control."
£21.49
- Rrp: £26.00
2 of 7Davaon Pro Heavy-Duty Gardening Shears
Specifications:
Blade material: Carbon steel
Shear size: 56 cm
Additional features: Tension adjustment, shock-proof handles
Pros / cons:
Pros:
Durable
Lightweight
Wavy blade creates sharp, precise cuts
Cons:
Some customers found issues with packaging
Overview:
Prune your garden with comfort and ease, with these precision shears from Davaon. The gearing mechanism allows you to achieve more with less force, making this pair ideal for prolonged tasks.
Customer review: "They arrived on time, nicely packaged...all in all I think these are the best shears I've ever had! Not too heavy, very sharp and efficient. I used them for over two hours and they still cut through the box hedging and I didn't even get shoulder ache, due to them being lighter than other models I've had in the past. Highly recommend!"
£25.99
3 of 7Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Cutting Set
Specifications:
Blade material: Steel with chrome coating
Shear size: 55 cm (shears), 22 cm (secateurs), 60 cm (lopper)
Additional features: telescopic anvil loppers, hedge shears and bypass secateurs.
Pros / cons:
Pros:
Razor sharp, ultra-durable
Super comfortable
Great value
Cons:
A little bit short
Overview:
Everything you need to cut and prune in one very handy set! Great without compromising on quality, this set is an amazing bargain for brilliantly sharp and strong blades.
Customer review: "Bought these when they were on offer and so far, I can honestly say I'm glad I bought them. From the quality feel of these, I suspect they'll last a good few years of average use. Easy to use and super sharp. Used to prune a large hedge, apple trees and other shrubs. Cut through the branches with ease including some which were the max size for the jaws."
4 of 7Fiskars Solid Hedge Shear HS21
Specifications:
Blade material: Hardened steel
Shear size: 55 cm
Additional features: Non-slip handles
Pros / cons:
Pros:
Durable
Comfortable frip
Affordable
Cons:
A little bit short
Overview:
If reliable trimming is what you're after, then these solid hedge shears are perfect. Carefully engineered for easy pruning, they keep hedges and bountiful bushes in shape.
Customer review: "I have been using these shears since they arrived, and they make all my cutting and trimming so easy. I've actually been using them to deadhead border plants to save bending and it's so much easier."
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5 of 7Flora Guard 23 Inch Heavy Duty Garden Hedge Shears
Specifications:
Blade material: Carbon steel
Shear size: 59 cm
Additional features: Curved blade, shock guards
Pros / cons:
Pros:
Razor sharp for precise trimming
Control blade tension
Incredibly durable
Cons:
Improper use may lead to some blunting
Overview:
The perfect tool for trimming and shaping your shrubs, these durable and precision-cutting shears are exquisitely designed and simple to use.
Customer review: "Excellent hedge shears and just what I had been looking for. Very sharp with a good clean cut and, above all, lightweight and easy to handle (I am only 4'.10" with advanced Osteoporosis!) Very prompt delivery too, would thoroughly recommend it!"
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£26.99
6 of 7Jardineer 2pcs Garden Shears
Specifications:
Blade material: Carbon steel
Shear Size: 61 cm
Additional Features: 61cm hedge shears and 21cm pruning shears.
Pros / Cons:
Pros:
Incredibly tough build quality
Rust resistant
Adjustable blade tension
Cons:
Some customers have had issues with loose handles
Overview:
Cut easy and smooth with this set of shears, that allows for clean and precise cuts to benefit your plants' health.
Customer review: "Extremely sharp cutting edge on the shears, the blades are curved to provide a better cutting action. The secateurs are the best I've ever had, will cut through a 1cm and bigger with ease with not much pressure on the handles. Both tools are good quality and very sturdy. Will last a long time."
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7 of 7AIRAJ Telescopic Hedge Shears
Specifications:
Blade material: Alloy steel
Shear Size: 75-88 cm
Additional Features: 1 x secateurs, 1x pair of gloves
Pros / Cons:
Pros:
Fantastic build quality
Extending handles make gardening easier than ever
Very comfortable
Cons:
Some customers have had faulty handles (although rare)
Overview:
These all-in-one super sharp shears are the perfect companion to proper garden TLC. Prune to your heart's content and even reach those overgrown spots that are usually impossible to reach with its extending handles.
Customer review:
"These are great clippers and so easy to use. I love my garden and need to keep it under control and after searching through products, I was happy I chose these. Highly recommended for we gardening-homemakers!"
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How do I sharpen my gardening shears?
Are your gardening shears a little rusty and blunt? Rejuvenating your shears shouldn't be too much fuss and can save those beloved shears you've had for years. Using some sandpaper, remove any rust that's built up while avoiding the cutting edge.
Using a narrow flat file (or saw file), follow the angle of the blade and sharpen the edge with long, strokes. It may be worth using a vice to keep the shears totally secure, but it's entirely up to you!
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What plants should I prune?
We'd recommend trimming any privet on your property, which tends to grow fairly quickly in general. From pines to firs, to shrubs, these are all perfect for pruning. For flowers, you should be very careful when pruning, not all flowers take well to pruning - but trimming any thinning or discoloured leaves can prevent fungal infections, which is definitely worth doing!
Why is plant pruning so important?
Pruning is so important simply because it increases the production of flowers and fruit in trees, shrubs, and perennials. It also prevents the spread of disease and deters pests, while also making the plant look more appealing.
While hedge shears can be fantastic for trimming large branches, troublesome thorns, or a mess of vines, they're not great for more delicate pruning, for that you'll probably want some secateurs.