From here looks like Hydrangea macrophylla-ish, I suspect no flowering because of not enuf sun, improper pruning and additional environmental factor like not enough water or nutrients. There it is likely a full-sun plant, or at least protected from afternoon sun.

Dan

It is definitely a Hydrangea macrophylla, bigleaf hydrangea. They are root hardy in your area but need winter protection to preserve the flower buds from freezing - that (and improper pruning) is the primary reason bigleaf hydrangeas fail to bloom. And I disagree with Dan that this is a full sun plant. Even in the PNW with our very northerly latitude and weak summer sun, these plants suffer in a full sun location. They are a woodland understory shrub and prefer part shade - dappled or filtered is ideal - or morning sun and afternoon shade.

If you visit the Hydrangea forum, you will find many threads that deal with winter protection for these plants in colder zones as well as the best ways to care for them to encourage blooms.

Thank you for the identification. I will visit the Hydrangea forum, to find out how to deal with the winter protection issue, etc.

Yes: Looks like it has been freezing back and being prevented from flowering. Bailey nursery in Minnesota has been promoting a particular selection lately because it flowers on new growth as well as old.

I'm not personally or egoally invested either way in my knowledge on this plant as I don't grow or use them, but my sister who is ~at a similar latitude has two of these in sun most of the day, shade in late afternoon & cvs should be expected to be selected for traits.

Now that I'm looking it up, Sunset sez "part shade in hottest climates" and also "disappointing where plants freeze to the ground every year (they may never bloom under these conditions since flower buds are produced on old wood). Protect...by mounding soil or leaves over base of plants..." (2001 Ed., p 394).

So, again, I'm going off memory above and no direct experience as I don't use this plant, either in my yards or my past work. That in mind, IMHO the plant's position makes it more likely to freeze back in winter and not have optimal light to produce photosynthate to flourish.

But surely the Hyd. forum should be able to provide the best info.

Dan