KY has a variety of climates, so it would help if you could be a little more specific about which quandrant of the state and your elevation. But I personally think heat is not a factor. (now if you were in Memphis, TN, it might be) My purported 'Vossii' from Forestfarm has grown about 2' in each of the past 3 hot summers here on the east coast. It does get afternoon shade and most of the successful seeming trees I've seen in the Mid-Atlantic region do. I believe this tree was once even planted in Richmond, VA, hence the "Laburnum Ave." there. As with many Fabaceae their roots can be a little cranky and should be carefully handled when planted. I'd only try to establish it from a small, not pot bound container. Maybe B&B would work in the PNW but it would definitely be a no no east of the Rockies. Also, again, as is the case for many a marginal plant, they probably want better soil than run of the mill red clay. I know of a particularly nice one in NJ very close to the Delaware river, on sandy-silty soil. (but at the most elevated part of the garden, so not subject to flooding) BTW my grafted plant from Forestfarm was This post was edited by davidrt28 on Fri, May 3, 13 at 11:34

I was thinking the exact same thing as mine leafed out earlier last year. But just yesterday I had the first leaves emerge. So, hang in there and try a few deep waterings - or you know hopefully it will rain this weekend like they are predicting. ;-) I think it's just a byproduct of so little chill hours and so little moisture. Barbie~

I have not personally witnessed any birds eating the fruit off of my Duranta. I am basing my opinion on a view of several Duranta's from my home office for the past 3 years. I think there are birds that eat it -- just not in Florida. Perhaps in the country where it originated there are birds that eat the berries? Who knows... Once I begin the remove the berries (actually BEFORE they had a chance to become berries), my Duranta bloomed profusely until the late fall when the sun was not as strong. As it is really a shrub, I twisted the branches to form multi-wrapped trunks and then cut off any suckers. I have found Duranta to be a consistent performer and actually, somewhat low maintence. I trim it when I have the time and find my roses to be much more fickle and demanding. Here are a few photos so you can see:

At least you are not having to deal with the many seeds it disperses. I know you'd wish it would bloom now ... but you may not be so happy when it starts. I had two of them and the amount of seeds were horrendous. Sure they are easy to pull up the first season after a rain, but who wants to do it? Plus they were in all my neighbors' yards too! I eventually cut them down.