Deer damage?

On another subject 'Phantom' is a cultivar of Hydrangea paniculata - as far as can be seen using only this picture taken from too far away your plant doesn't seem to be producing the conical flower heads of that species. As though it is something else.

I agree that the sparseness and the tufts of new leaves at the branch tops implies that deer came and ate the leaves at some earlier point and the shrub is now starting to regrow leaves. I would try spraying with a deer repellent and repeat after rain unless it is one with a base that prevents it washing off. The nearby boxwoods are unpalatable to most critters which is why they haven’t been munched. Another possibility would be to swap the Hydrangea away from the front edge of the bed to see if the deer don’t notice it if it surrounded by boxwood. (I think whether this works will depend on how hungry the deer are, though my deer don’t bother my hydrangeas.)

If you add a photo of the blooms from closer, you may get an ID confirmation. Panicle shape may also have been altered by deer.

This photo confirms that it is Hydrangea paniculata, so I don’t see any reason to doubt the ID. You just need to set a way to keep deer from eating it.

Fencing doesn't require repeated spray applications.

Thanks. We are not allowed fencing near the street where they are planted, as per our hoa regulations. I’ll have to see if I can spray for the deer.

One thing that might help that isn’t a fence is a set of several poles with clear 30-70 lb. test line strung at a couple of different levels. They can’t see it and won’t go where they feel trapped. It might be able to be used without attracting the attention of the HOA, especially if you move the hydrangeas farther back into the bed.

Thanks. A conical boxwood is going in the open spot of the bed once I find one to buy. The two we had there died. I’ll try the poles and clear line idea.

The clear line and poles needs to be something they would get into before getting to the plant rather than immediately around the plant. And I am not sure that the current placement next to the lawn will allow for that, so sprays may work better.