Spring is in the air (kind of) so it's time to turn your attention to getting shrubs in shape for summer. Pruning is one of the key elements of spring garden maintenance as it improves plant health by letting in air and helps to boost flower production by getting rid of dead stems. It's also easier to see the branch structure more clearly at this time of year as the shrub won't be fully in leaf.
When pruning, always use clean, sharp tools so that shrubs are not damaged by blunt shears that fray stems, leaving them susceptible to disease. Make neat cuts above a bud or set of buds (of which there should be plenty at this time of year) as this is where the plant will grow back. It also avoids leaving ugly stems sticking out that ruin the outline of your shrub.
