Pruning Butterfly Bushes

Question

When reading a question about butterfly bushes, your answer you said that pruning lateral stems is better. What do you mean by lateral stems on butterfly bushes?

Answer 1

Lateral stems are stems that grow out (horizontally) from the main stem. You can trim the terminal stems (those that grow up) if you want a bushier, shorter plant and the lateral stems if you want to help contain the width of the plant.