Pruning a new, spreading Abelia for height?

Hi Everyone,

I inherited a large Abelia (I think grandiflora) in the back garden, which is just covered with bees when it flowers, so I wanted one for the front garden.

I bought one without looking at it properly, so now I have I have noticed that the main 'lead' stem was removed by the grower and it is now spreading sideways, but I would like to encourage it to grow for height, as well as width, eventually like the one at the back.

Pruning is my nemesis anyway and I have searched for how to prune for height and am getting conflicting information.

Can someone please let me know if I should cut right back the strong lateral stem back (in photo) and then just lightly trim the rest or prune it to about to the same length all over please?

Many thanks, I will plant it today anyway, then prune it when I am a bit more confident about what I am doing, I REALLY don't want to kill it

 

@Barders . I would plant it as planned but would not prune it at all until it has established with a good root system. The RHS recommends pruning semi-evergreen shrubs in early spring.
Hope this helps.

 

Thank you @lizzie27 I will leave it in peace and try and learn more about pruning in the meantime

 

I pruned mine back VERY hard this spring and thought I might have killed it.... - it is now at least 1.5 metres tall and wide. Don't be afraid!

 

Thank you @Grannybee that is reassuring Despite completing the RHS Level 2 Diploma, I did the practical Course at Hever Castle, so only had practice at pruning roses and buddleji, so everything else is a bit scary, as I can be a bit heavy handed!

Thanks for the responses, really helpful