As plants go, your tree is growing fine. You will want to remove the flowers so the tree's energy goes into foliage growth.

Steve

I think it looks fine! Like many natives, this tends to grow into a rather scraggly, ungainly looking multi-stemmed shrub rather than a district tree. It just needs some time to grow into itself :-)

It looks as though it is planted too close to the fence, tho. A typical spread is 15' so I would allow at least a minimum of half that distance for spacing. And I wouldn't bother to cut off the flowers - their scent is one this plant's best features and they won't have a significant enough impact on growth to necessitate their removal.

But,many natives given some summer water will be much more lush then those forced to live on rain alone. I can't say all...but purchased natives in the garden tend to like some water, while wild plants on your property should be left alone..they have no immunity to pathogens. It's a interesting twist to gardening with natives. Not as simple as it sounds.

Thanks much for the feedback all. Glad to know it is looking “normal”. I will pass on the advice to disbud as I would find it unbearable not to see its flowers nor fail to check on its reputation for a strong scent. As far as distance from the fence, I wish I could afford the garden space to give it it’s natural space. Instead, I am hoping to keep it pruned to a reasonable size. If it doesn’t cooperate I will find something to take its place.

The comments on water certainly convey the difficulty of knowing how to care for native gardens! I am in my first few years of growing natives and it’s very apparent I have a lot to learn about watering them. Or not.. I have great difficulty adjusting to the starved look of all too many natives as summer advances to fall