Prune in late winter or early spring after the last frost

Use clean, sharp pruning shears

Remove dead, damaged, or diseased stems first

Cut back weak or crossing branches

Trim stems to just above a leaf node or outward-facing bud

Reduce the plant by about one-third to one-half if needed

Shape the plant evenly as you prune

Remove any suckers growing from the base

Thin crowded growth to improve airflow

Avoid cutting into old bare wood unless necessary

Clean up and discard all pruned debris

Water the plant after pruning

Apply a balanced fertilizer after new growth begins