While you might get away with loppers or standard shears for roughly cutting back trees and shrubs, specialised topiary shears are much better suited to precise trimming. Their short, sharp blades make it easy to achieve neat edges and fine detail – ideal if you want to create shapes like spheres, cones and spirals, or even fun characters like animals.
When you’re pruning with topiary shears, remember to avoid using them for other materials like wire, or tough woods, which can damage the blades. It’s also best to cut branches diagonally along their fibres and snip wider stems at the base of the blades.
For more information on how to choose a great pair of topiary shears, jump to our buyer's guide at the bottom of this article.
Best topiary shears for precise trimming
Darlac Expert Topiary Shears
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Known and trusted in the world of gardening tools, Darlac is a good brand to browse when it comes to pruning blades. We’ve picked out these budget-friendly, 35cm-long topiary shears, with smart red and navy colouring.
Weighing 350g, these shears aren’t as heavy as some others on the market, and they come with a hand grip to keep users comfortable during lengthy pruning sessions.
There’s also a safety grip to keep the blades together while you’re storing or transporting them – a useful feature to look out for when comparing shears.
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Burgon & Ball Sophie Conran Topiary Shears
Made from a single piece of polished stainless steel, this pair of topiary shears has all the sleek aesthetics we’d expect from a Burgon & Ball collaboration with Sophie Conran. It even comes with a smart presentation box, so it makes a great gift for fellow gardeners too.
As for the tech specs, the shears are 28cm in length and come with a brass safety lock at one end. They weigh 570g, so they’re on the heavier end of the spectrum when it comes to topiary shears, but their durable construction should help them stand the test of time.
Wilkinson Sword Topiary Shears
You probably know Wilkinson Sword for its razors, but the brand also sells a range of household and gardening tools including rakes, spades and loppers. As you’d expect, it’s focussed on creating high-quality blades, so these topiary shears are made from hardened steel, complete with a non-stick coating to help them cut cleanly.
As for the handle, Wilkinson Sword has included a spring-loaded mechanism and a non-slip grip to make repetitive cutting comfortable.
Also included in the design is a locking catch for safety.
Topiary Shears with Brown Leather Handles
Buy from Etsy (£34.00)
If you’re looking for a high-quality piece you can keep for decades to come, try these topiary shears from Bradleys. Made in the business’s Shropshire tannery, they come with leather handles and a pouch to make storage more convenient.
The standout features are of course the large steel blades. Add your own engraved message at the checkout if you’re buying these topiary shears as a gift.
Niwaki Sentei / GR Pro clippers
Topiary shears have played a part in Niwaki’s development as a brand since it was first launched. Since then, founder Jake Hobson has taken inspiration from Japanese design to create a wide range of high-quality gardening tools like these smart topiary shears. They sit on the higher end of the scale for cost, but they’re designed to last a lifetime with the right care.
Choose Niwaki’s 251g Sentei clippers for 11.3cm blades, or opt for the brand’s slightly lighter GR Pro version, which has slightly shorter 8.3cm blades to handle woodier and tougher materials.
Both are made in Sanjo, Japan and come with carbon steel blades and a spare spring to keep the handles cutting smoothly.
For larger shrubs and hedges, see Niwaki’s 22cm-blade topiary shears.
Spear and Jackson Razorsharp Advantage Topiary Shears
Spear and Jackson tools are usually a safe bet when it comes to buying new gardening equipment. For these topiary shears, the brand has included 16.4cm blades made from high carbon steel.
The handles come with a soft grip to make repetitive snipping more comfortable, and there’s a handy safety catch to keep the blades together in storage. The whole package weighs 340g, so it’s a fairly lightweight option.
What are topiary shears used for?
As the name suggests, topiary shears are used for trimming trees and shrubs and are specifically designed for topiary. Unlike loppers and standard shears, they’re easy to use with one hand. Squeeze the handles together and they’ll snip through small branches and leaves.
You can also use topiary shears for deadheading flowers and making delicate cuts, thanks to their small, sharp blades.
Features to look for when buying topiary shears
Most topiary shears are fairly similar in look and design, but there are a few features to look out for when you’re making a purchase.
The best topiary shears come with ergonomic handles to provide grip and comfort as you work. You may also want to check your chosen pair has a locking mechanism, which will help you stay safe while storing or transporting them.
Another element to consider is the blade strength and sharpness. The best topiary shears will cut through leaves and small branches, but it’s worth checking the specifications if you need something to chop through thicker materials.
Find more of our favourite gardening accessories in our guide to the best pruning tools.