Sun not a problem here. Plant it where it will have room to grow and display well, when happy it shoots right up. One in Ireland was 35' tall during 1980.

So if mine has been in the ground for 3+ years and has never "shot right up" is it not happy?
There does not seem to be a leader in it, and the place where one might shoot from is just sitting there with nothing happening.
Mine is in considerable summer shade, but gets more light in winter --except for the lower light angle-- due to deciduous trees.

(sorry to hijack your thread)

Mine had never formed a lead either, looks finally like it might be petering out after many years. Multiple others in this area I have seen grow like weeds. Jacobson, Trees of Seattle - Second Edition (2006) mentions one 14' tall near 12th Ave S and S Hanford St. Going over to West Seattle an east-facing hillside property with a landmark Eucalyptus also has one of the dogwood, which I have seen rapidly progress into what may be taller than 14' by now. Both trees are visible from the freeway, as the West Seattle end is approached from the east.

I have never parked and attempted to view the garden from the street. The dogwood looks to be on a side of the house facing away from public view.