Good plant, mediocre results — what went wrong with my Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom is clearly a great plant — I can see that from other people's results. Mine has been decent but not spectacular, and I think I know why.

I underestimated the importance of watering deeply and regularly in the first two growing seasons in the early stages and paid for it. scale insects or aphids in the canopy attracting sooty mould also knocked the plant back at a critical point. It lives in a small garden with a compact or columnar variety chosen for scale which is probably not quite right but it's the best I can do in my space. multi-decade investment that improves year on year is visible but muted. full canopy providing shade and habitat in summer gave me hope — there are glimpses of what it could be. Three stars for now with potential for four.