Wait until it starts putting out its new spring growth - it'll be soft and a slightly lighter color. Avoid the temptation to shear it hard, just take off any wayward growth tip that would make the topiary design look shaggy. You don't want to accidentally cut into the plant's dead zone - if you do you'll get bare spots that cannot regenerate.

I won't recommend that you run out and buy a good book on pruning - there is some decent advice on the internet found simply by Googling pruning (insert plant choice here).

Thanks, duluthinbloomz4! I will wait until after I see the new growth. Thanks, also, for the advice to google pruning. I am going to do that right now as I have other shrubs that need pruning and I don't know what the best time is.

- Jan