I'm not a big DSH expert even though I have one. But I suspect the dead wood in the spring might not have been dead. Maybe it thought you pruned it hard.

My DSH was bought for me by my DH about 5 years ago and I had nowhere for a climber so I stuffed it in an overgrown bed next to the house where it duked it out with lily of the valley and irises until last week when I had to clean everything up for a garden tour. Having received no attention, fertilizer, support to climb on, water or anything it is very much alive and well, and I tracked down all its vines and put it up on a trellis. I wouldn't say mine has been a very fast grower either but like I said it has been in the most unforgiving conditions and it's definitely a survivor.

I did notice when I was tracking its various parts down, that some of the wood looked dead but was alive.

I think Gil got it right - they are a little later to leaf out and what appears to be dead may not be dead after all. Like any woody shrub, they do take their time the first year or two to establish themselves. After it does, it will grow and fill out quickly.

Yes I may have over pruned but did try to scrape to see if there was green wood. Oh well, will see how it does over the summer. Thanks for replying north spruce. Have you had your tour yet?

Yeah, it looks really dead and flaky but isn't. I found that out because I broke off a piece but it had a live shoot coming out the side of it.

The tour is a week tomorrow. I was sort of freaking out but I got a lot crossed off my to-do list. Never mind, I'm still freaking out. ;)

It will all be good. I have been involved with quite a few garden tours on the organizing end and people on the tours are not expecting perfection. Most are just looking for ideas and simple goals that they can easily reach in their own gardens. They like someone who can tell them about the plants in their yard and make suggestions which I know you are very well qualified to do. Good luck and enjoy your day!

I have had one against the fence in partial shade for a few years now and it has not bloomed since I planted it. The ones out at my brother`s ranch do very well, covered in blooms every year. They get full sun and some water, lots of wind and do just fine.