Did you winter protect? When did the blooms open? In the Spring or Summer (I am assuming in the Summer if you did not winter protect?)? ES gets a lot of posts here regarding failure to bloom in really cold zones like yours. Do you have squirrels, deer or bunnies that like to eat the flower buds? How did they bloom in years before last year?

In much of New England last winter and early spring, we had several warm-ups followed by cold weather that may have killed off buds. We also had a ton of rain this summer in many areas of New England that may have made nutrient uptake more difficult, leading to pale leaves. Winter protection may help with bloomage. A good layer of compost should help with leaves looking happier next season.

My suggestion is to get rid of the ES , without winter protection you have a. battle .....at 5'x5' that's a lot of work (Fall&Spring) there are too many Great Hys out there that will bloom from Spring till Fall every year.. then again you can let Mother Nature call the shots... maybe try One to start....I had about 12 ES and starting to faze out a few every yr

Unless you're willing to put a lot of effort in winter protection, getting endless summer to bloom is a losing battle in zone 5 or 4

I have to disagree. I don't winter protect and my ES originals bloom every year. I don't get early blooms on last year's buds, but they have never failed to bloom for me. The beds are well mulched, but nothing else in the way of winterizing. in the spring I wait to cut them back until they really start growing. They get some Holly Tone (we are alkaline here) and maybe some iron if they need it and that's it. I wouldn't give up on them, I bet they are lovely! Do as Babs suggested above. Good luck!

IME growing up very close the Great Lakes and working within a few miles of the Atlantic, having a large body of water nearby reduces temperature swings, both early warmups and late freezes in spring. In central MA gle2011 may be more likely to need winter protection.

I hear you Babs, but I'm pretty far from the lake so we don't get the moderation here and tend to the extremes for the area. I figured Boston would be a full zone warmer so even better for the macs, but maybe not so much!