maybe there is something affecting the roots and therefore the growth. Sometimes when a plant is stunted or not doing well, I dig it up to see if there is a cut worm or something near the roots that is harming it, and many times there is. Just a thought.

Odds are your right...speaking of odds do you let it go till next year and check it out early spring and do something now?

no time like the present! :)

I dug it up and there didn't appear to be any issues with the exception of a congested root system.

I untangled it and replanted...we'll see what happens.