looks like one of the privets ... some are invasive ... as in.. did you plant it there???

lets see if i win the shiny nickle ...

ken

Hi Ken. I didn't plant it there, it was dug up from my son and daughter in laws' new house. It was planted by itself in front of a long border of perennials.

It isn't a Ligustrum (Privet). I'm thinking maybe Deutzia gracilis in bud.

Thank you. I will check photos and compare.

It is still in tight bud so pictures might be hard to find of this stage of development. I am as certain as I can be it isn't any kind of Privet. If you can't confirm its id post again when the flowers open.

i am not convinced .... but i have learned not to doubt flora ... lol ...

since she guesses.. a better pic might help.. with a scale.. and the flowers open ...

or you can compare online pix.. and let us know ...

ken

Thanks for your input. I keep waiting for the flowers to open, but so far they haven't. I will repost with new pics as soon as I have open blooms.

I am wondering if it's a variety of Hydrangea paniculata. How big are the leaves and how long is the flower cluster?

many flowering shrubs are full sun plants ...

by the pic.. this one is in shade.. and that may be.. why it is slow to bloom

ken

Thank you for the ideas. It is in a space that gets dappled light in the mornings, then some full sun in the afternoon. Finally the flowers are opening, so here are more pictures. The flower actually looks like the red elderberry flower but the leaves are not the same, so that rules elderberry out. Hopefully this next photo helps

compare with the shrub in this linkIllinois Wildflowers link