i tend to the major pruning in the spring - early/mid march before new growth starts. i do a less intensive prune in the fall - just to get the tallest stuff off in case of bad snow as i don't want any damage done. others do their main pruning in the fall.

you can cut the bushes back to about 2 feet tall. or leave them a little taller if you'd like. if you have a branching that you like, trim back to just above where the branching starts...if you go below, you might not get the same growth pattern next year.

also, take a look at the canes to see if you see and nodes - if there are nodes on the inside of the cane, cut below or the new growth will be inward rather than outward.

You may not want to get rid of all the suckers if they are positioned well.

Promoting those to replenish and replace old wood over a period of time is part of extending longevity.

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M. D. Vaden of Oregon

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