Is Quickfire in a sunnier location?

I would say they both get full sun anad we have had plenty of rain

was just a possible reason why one was ahead of the other..still early..both should do well

All early-blooming paniculatas should have a complete season or two in-ground to develop their own dormancy/bud cycle and should ideally *never* be pruned after September-ish. Otherwise, there may be a simpler issue at hand and LQF has been delayed. If no visible buds by about June 10 I would be concerned, but not *quite* yet.

I won't give up yet. Thanks