i have "edward goucher" glossy abelia planted in front of my porch as
"foundation plantings". i planted them from containers this spring, and
they're getting extremely leggy, and the long, straight stems run out
horizontally from the plant. there's some thicker, shrubbier bits at the
bottom, which are blooming nicely right now.

the question is, how and when should i prune the long leggy bits to promote
a more even growth? or is this even possible? i've currently got the long
stems tied and staked so that they don't run out into the lawn.

oh, i'm in zone 8, if that matters.

-kelly