The 11 Very Best Garden Shears

One of the most indispensable gardening tools are sharp shears, useful for everything from pruning shrubs to harvesting tomatoes to removing dead flower petals (known as "dead heads"). The right tools will make the difference between a miserable, blistering day of gardening and reaching a state of flush when pruning branches, and with a little care, they can last for decades. A tool that consistently delivers clean, accurate cuts will make you a more productive gardener and healthier for your plants. "The cleaner the cut, the faster the plant will recover," says Curt Morell, vice president of landscape operations. New York Botanical Garden (NYBG). "The earlier a plant recovers, the less it will be susceptible to disease."

The best blade style depends on how you intend to use the scissors. According to author strategist and veteran gardener Joseph Troini, you'll get the cleanest cuts with cross cuts, rather than razor blades, which bunch up when cut and tend to shred plant material. The shape and size of the leaves also varies depending on the application. Longer, heavier blades are better for covering a large area; The thin, sharp blades are good for detail work Prune softer plants.

You want a pair of scissors that are comfortable enough to withstand long periods of repetitive motion. We look for easy-grip handles that don't slip when wet or cause cramping or blisters. For one-handed scissors, we also noticed where the left-hand version comes in handy; Like scissors, one-handed scissors are generally considered to be right-handed. (Intermediate tools such as hedge trimmers or shears work for left- and right-handed users alike.)

A lock keeps spring-loaded scissors closed when not in use, so a method that is reliable and easy to use is essential. Ineffective and unreliable locking blades can be accidentally bitten during operation or popped open in your pocket. Some popular styles are: latch, disc and push locks. While we've listed locking mechanisms that our experts particularly like, the one you choose is largely a matter of personal preference; The most important is reliable engineering.

Scissors are not a tool that you can take for granted. They will be dirty and wet and thrown into the garden bag; The leaves will break off the tough woody stems and become covered with sap. A good pair can last decades, but they do require upkeep. In addition to sharpening your knives, sometimes you need to make minor repairs or replace components. We prefer shears that are made of durable materials designed to make it relatively easy to replace new parts.

Paper: Derivation |: Grips: Ergonomic Rubber | Locking Mechanism: Dial | Technical service: parts available

The most popular universal shears among professionals are the F2 bypass cutters made by the Swiss company Felco. "A good gardener or gardener anywhere in the world will probably have a few phloxes," Morel said. Philco hair clippers are known for their durability, the incredibly long life you can expect from them (Morell still has an original pair from 1985), and their versatility. Tell us that the NYBG School of Professional Horticulture gives every freshman a pair of F2s.

Another reason the Felco F2 is our top pick. The brand sells replacement parts for every part, from small screws to new blades, which are clearly marked on a diagram on their website. It sells a left-handed version of the F2 and other styles, including the compact F6 ( both below), which garden designer Valerie Street says is better suited for smaller hands. There are cheaper devices on the market, but the years of use expected from the Felco F2 make the investment worthwhile. "It's a staple in every gardener's toolbox," says Rachel Burlington, curator of the International Rose Test Garden. "I never leave my house."

paper: derivation |: handles: flats |: locking mechanism: latch | Technical service: parts available

For a cheaper alternative, Caleb Leech, director of horticulture at Morrell, Burlington, and the Met Cloisters, pointed to Corona's Side Pruner, which Burlington describes as a "quality tool." Spare parts are available in Corona and Pruner's warehouse.

Paper: Derivation |: Handles: Ergonomic |: Locking Mechanism: Press | Technical service: parts available

ARS is one of the few Japanese gardening tool brands that has a loyal following in the United States. ( They also have a cool logo. ) Leech says the Met uses Japanese instruments almost exclusively in their Cloisters; "I love the way you make Japanese hand tools," he says. Bob Fiorello, senior gardener at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, actually prefers the Japanese ARS VS8 hand pruner over the Felco pruner, although many of his colleagues use the F2. "It's very good quality stainless steel, it's very easy to clean, and it doesn't stick as much as Felco," he says. Laura Meili, horticulturist at Arnold Arboretum, prefers these ARS shears; Replacement parts are available from Growtech, the US dealer for ARS products, and can be purchased online here.

Paper: derivation|: handles: ergonomic, plastic-coated. Locking mechanism: dial | Technical service: parts available

"These pruning shears sit in a little case on my belt most of the day," says Mark Khachadorian, senior curator of orchids at NYBG. "They are my best tool." For working with flowers, the brand's HP-130DX clippers are preferred over Felcos, where a precise and ergonomic tool is often more useful than heavy objects. "They have very nice feathers and are very light, so after a day's work you'll have less wear and tear on your hand than if you were using Felcos," he says. Despite its light weight, it is "extremely durable" and the blades stay sharp longer than other scissors.

Paper: Derivation |: Handles : Comfortable, vinyl-coated. Locking mechanism: Lock-lock | Technical service: parts available

Like the ARs, Japanese brand Okatsune has a reputation for making rugged and durable tools. His coil also contains a torsion spring and a lock, which Leech prefers for choosing locks, which he describes as "quick". Millie agrees that these Okatsune pruners are a good investment; "A lot of people in Dadndir swear by it," he says.

Image: retailer

Blade: straight |: handles: curved wooden . Technical service. Some parts are available

The German-made Berger 4490 Shear is the only model used for trimming and shaping hedges and shrubs on NYBG properties. Morel says his favorite thing about them is the wooden handles. "A lot of homeowners will choose something with a rubber grip because they think they're cushions, but the rubber slips off when you sweat," he says. "If you work all day, wood is more suitable." Morel is also valued for its durability; "If you're going to buy something cheap, it might only last one repair. If you're going to use a tool all day, you want something that's durable and long-lasting. We have couples ages 15-20." small defect. Some small replacement parts are available on Berger's website, but the company does not sell replacement blades.

Blade: Straight |: Handles: Straight, Wooden Technical Service. Replacement screws are available

"Hedge trimmers are really designed to reduce soft new growth in hedges," says Leech. Okatsune, maker of one of our favorite pruning shears, also makes these pruning shears with straight oak handles. The strong steel blades keep their edges well, but "you have to take care of them" by sharpening them regularly with a whetstone, says Leach.

Blade: serrated. Handles: ergonomic . |: technical service. Backup batteries available

If you want some extra power, Truini recommends the Worx WG252 Electric Hedge Trimmer. It's powerful enough to cut through branches up to five-eighths of an inch thick, and Truini also praises its maneuverability; It has a 12-foot telescoping pole, and a rear handle rotates so the machine can stand and move. Can be used horizontally. . The angle of the blade can be adjusted so that gardeners can "conveniently cut the top, bottom, or sides of hedges."

Blade: Bypass Gears |: Soft Rubber Covered Handles | Technical Service: Parts are available

Pruning shears, or pruning shears, are used to cut "larger wood items," says Leach. "It's like a great pair of hand pruners that you can use for large diameter branches." Morell recommends Felco cutters with a serrated side blade. Fiorello also introduces Felco's pair. "If you're really growing trees or managing shrubs and you want a good pruning," he says.

Blade: straight |: handle: plastic; Designed for left-handed and right-handed users . Parts are not available

Leech says: “No. 1-tool” is “bonsai shears or grape shears,” small-bladed pointed secateurs designed for vine planting, detailing, and flower cutting. Nomad Chef Mike calls Joyce Chen her favorite chef's shears; It is "small enough and sharp enough for delicate tasks like cutting grass, yet powerful enough to cut through fish bones, crab shells, and chicken meat." Riley and strategy writer Emma Watersman also use it in their garden. "Their shape and size give you a lot of control," he says. He's used it on everything from tomatoes to "small herbs like oregano or oregano when you want to cut off a few stems without breaking the whole plant."

Blade: Straight |: Handles: Ergonomic, plastic | Locking Mechanism: Dial | technical service. Replacement spring is available

Kyle Forrest Burns, owner of Nye Ranch, loves these spring-loaded, hands-free blades that rest on two fingers to free both hands when pruning. "They save time, and they're so light and small that you don't even know they're there," he says.

• Rachel Burlington, Curator of the International Rose Test Garden
• Kyle Forrest Burns, owner of Nay Ranch
• Bob Fiorello, Senior Gardener, San Francisco Botanical Garden
• Mark Hashadourian, Senior Curator of Orchids, New York Botanical Garden
• Caleb Leech, Director of Horticulture at the Met Cloisters
• Laura Meili, horticulturist at the Arnold Arboretum
• Curt Morell, Vice President of Landscape Operations at the New York Botanic Garden
• Valerie Street, garden designer
• Joseph Troini, gardener and strategist
• Emma Wartzman, Strategy Writer

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