- 1). Locate any broken limbs that must be removed. Broken branches will not heal themselves and can develop disease. Cut the limb off with hand pruners 1 inch past the break toward the center of the plant. This eliminates the shredded part of the limb that was damaged when the branch broke.
- 2). Check the limbs for signs of disease, such as moldy black spots, white spots or yellow discoloration. Trace these branches back to where they emerge from the base of the shrub. Cut them off 1/2 inch above the base. Place all diseased shrub branches into a trash bag for disposal.
- 3). Fill a large bowl or bucket with a mixture of 1 part alcohol and 9 parts water. Dip the hand pruners into the mixture before pruning a different plant. Wipe the blades with a paper towel and proceed with pruning.
- 4). Turn the leaves of the shrub over and inspect them carefully for signs of insects such as aphids. Insects typically concentrate themselves at the tips of branches, so trace the branch back to where no insects are seen, and cut it with the hand pruners. Place the infected branches into a trash bag for disposal.
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