Prune in late winter or early spring after the last hard frost
Use clean, sharp pruning shears
Remove dead, damaged, or diseased canes first
Cut out weak, thin, or crossing stems
Remove any canes growing toward the center of the bush
Make cuts at a 45-degree angle about 1/4 inch above an outward-facing bud
Cut back healthy canes to the desired height
Remove spent blooms during the growing season
Thin the plant to improve air circulation
Remove suckers growing from below the graft union
Disinfect tools between plants if disease is present
Dispose of pruned material properly