A friend gave me this plant as it wasn't doing too well at her place but don't know if and how to prune? it has a few leaves but no buds and seems to be a bit dull?
I'm in zone 5B

please follow link to picture

Thanks in advance,
John

Looks like your hibiscus has already been pruned. It will be growing back its leaves in no time and start to branch out. The blooms will grow from the new growth. Any time you prune it delays the blooms a little. Most people say if you want to avoid that to just prune one side or part of the bush at a time. That way you always have some blooms. :)