Hydrangea REFUSE to bloom

We have about 8 bigleaf hydrangea in our front yard. Decent soil, about 5-7 hours of full sun in the summer. Zone 5b. They are about 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide -healthy plants. They have bloomed profusely once in the ten years they have been in. Right now the bushes have one pink bloom on them. WHAT IS GOING ON?
What we have tried - pruning to leave a couple of buds above ground. We have pruned them to the ground. This hasn't helped at all. Ideas?

Here are some of my thoughts on non-blooming Hydrangeas:
1. Pruning at the wrong time?
2. Not enough water in the hot summertime?
3. Too exposed to wind in the wintertime and subject to winter kill?
4. Too much fertilizer?

Here is a nice write up on non-blooming hydrangeas: http://www.millionplants.com/advice/wont-hydrangea-bloom/

I have many Oakleaf hydrangeas and I don't do a thing to them and they bloom well. But they are up against the house and do get some summer watering. No fertilizer though. I have a couple of Paniculata Grandifloras and I basically ignore them as well and they bloom ok.

BTW the pollinators and butterflies seem to like the p.g. variety.

Good luck. t.

Ooops! forgot the link:

http://www.millionplants.com/advice/wont-hydrangea-bloom/

Here's another good discussion about protecting your hydrangeas in wintertime.
I bet winter kill is the issue with yours since big leaf hydrangea's horticultural zones are 5 to 9. You're on the edge of their growing range and your plants are out in the yard not very protected....

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/hydrangea-winter-care-how-to-protect-hydrangeas-from-winter-cold-and-wind.htm

This is very helpful. Still some confusion though. I THINK that ours are late summer - the one bloom is blooming now. We have cut back to the ground most years, as they say is good for late summer varieties. Despite this, no blooms. The first article says that early bloomers may have sporadic blooms later - which is I guess what you could say we get.
We don't fertilize, so don't think that is the problem
Winter protection - I had heard of this, but our golf course is a mile away and they don't protect and have massive blooms on theirs. (same type of bloom - look like big leaf hydrangeas to me). I suppose it is a good idea to presume ours are different, since they are acting different in the sense of not blooming.

As I think through this, I think the best way to proceed is to assume they need old wood to bloom and protect them. If they don't next year, they are FIRED!

You can also provide images of your plants, AND the ones at the golf course you are jealous of.

I suspect you have Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) which is likely losing its flower buds to winterkill - even if the stems are not damaged. This species is usually pink or blue (depending on soil pH) and can have lacecap or mophead (snowball) blooms. These typically bloom on old wood, though some newer selections are remontant.

Your golf course probably has Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle', which is a selection of Smooth Hydrangea with 12"+ white blooms that bloom on new wood.

tabasco describes her Oakleaf Hydrangea, which is Hydrangea quercifolia. It is the most winter hardy of the species discussed here so far.

Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle Hydrangea) is probably the way to go for most reliable bloom for zone 5 conditions. There are more and more new, reliable, vibrant, and diverse selections besides old favorites like PG Hydrangea or 'Tardiva'.

Show us, and we can help more.

Will be at the course today, and will supply some photos.... Thanks for the help

OK - here are images. CLEARLY the plants are different, and I think will confirm what you are saying - I have bigleaf, and the course has another. The superintendant told me a couple of years ago that their variety was Prairie Fire. (first two pics are mine, second pair at the course)

Yes - Bigleaf Hydrangea is what you have - Hydrangea macrophylla. Definitely not unusual to lose those flowerbuds to winterkill in your growing zone.

The golf course plant is Hydrangea paniculata, of which 'Prairie Fire' is a selection - but not one with which I'm familiar.

Here's a whole bunch more:

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/search/results.php?genus=Hydrangea&speci=paniculata

Thanks so much - an end to years of frustration!

As long as you garden, you will experience frustration. With experience, those frustrations can be lessened. Best of luck with your Hydrangea endeavors.

If you haven't already, explore the vast variety of Viburnum for central Ohio...