Wear gloves and use clean, sharp pruning shears
Prune in late winter or early spring when new growth begins
Remove dead, damaged, or diseased canes first
Cut out weak, thin, or crossing stems
Remove suckers growing from below the graft union
Open the center of the bush for better air circulation
Cut canes back to healthy outward-facing buds
Make cuts at a 45-degree angle about 1/4 inch above a bud
Remove spent flowers during the growing season
Thin crowded growth to maintain shape and vigor
Remove any canes rubbing against each other
Cut back remaining canes to the desired height
Disinfect tools between plants if disease is present
Clean up and discard all pruned material