And sometimes, as with a pair of one-piece metal sheep shears, the classic design is so attractive that it deserves a spot on your mantel, not in your toolbox. Water well Form and function count when you're looking for a good watering can. One that is presentable enough to leave out on your patio or porch makes you more likely to keep your flowerpots and beds moist. The most decorative is a stainless-steel watering can with a brass spout sold by Le Prince Jardinier , a French gardening boutique. It's based on a 19th-century design and comes in sizes up to two gallons.
Metal cans are too heavy and easy to damage, insists Butterfield.
His pick is a polyethylene watering can with a brass head. A bypass pruner, which acts more like a pair of scissors, is preferable to an anvil pruner, which pinches stalks between a blade and a flat surface and can crush a delicate stem. While the Felco No. 2 is the biggest seller, you should try to get your hands on a few of the other models to see which one fits you best. The Felco No. 8 has a more ergonomic design, with deeper thumb notches to make your hand more comfortable, while the No. 6 may suit a small hand better. The No. 9 is especially for lefties, and the No. 13 can cut bigger branches.