I am quite sure that mine was mislabeled then. I'll give something else that space.

LIR is by far my most hardy Mac and rarely suffers die back from winter.

It is a lacecap but not a rebloomer

Thanks Hokierusty. What is hardy for you might not be for me . . . most years here most H. macrophyllas get killed back, so there's no point in growing non-reblooming plants. So since over a number of years, with snow and without snow this particular specimen has always died back and never bloomed, I think the space could be put to better use.

Yeah mine had 95% bud survival and I only bought it last July! (3-gallon)

If you can find an area like adjacent to a foundation where it would get better shelter, it might do a better job withstanding. I was pleased to at least see that there are there are many little broccoli florets already coming from lateral buds near the ends of the canes, as few terminal buds actually make it here due to freezes and deer picking them off, etc.