Soudnds like transplant shock is at work so just keep it well mulched (3-4"), try to keep the soil evenly moist and maybe use a fertilizer that is not so high in nitrogen (for example: Osmocote 10-10-10, composted manure, compost or cottonseed meal). If trying to make the plant go into high gear, you might try using alfalfa meal or doing alfalfa tea, which contains a hormone called Triacontanol, a natural root stimulant. But stop fertilizing by the end of June so the plant will go dormant in time.

I guess I should also mention that I have 2 more that I kept in pots and over wintered in the garage (as I have successfully done for 2 years.). The too look the same.... Leggy with sparse leaves but buds galore. I just can't figure out what is going on with them.

Check the ones in pots to make sure the roots are not growing in circles. They may also need more frequent fertilizing this time of the year.

Try planting in spring, maybe? Also they might need a couple/few years to become established. Did you keep the overwintered pots well-watered? Mine guzzled it...

Also, on these, there's some level of disorganization with buds and stems getting tangled with each other, which I personally like.

These should grow vigorously with out without much fertilizer, which makes them a great little cultivar. Fun to watch...