Let's Dance Big Band® Hydrangea

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

2.5 Feet

Mature Spread

2.5 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 9

Hydrangeas offer a uniquely bold presence in the summer border, but beautiful as they are, older varieties can span six feet, making them hard to fit in, or a pruning conundrum that doesn’t end well. Let’s Dance Big Band is here to change all of that and it’s ready to party. This reblooming usually pink beauty comes in at only 30 inches tall and wide. It’s also unusually sun-tolerant for a “mophead” variety, blooming just as bodaciously in full sun (minimum six hours a day) to part sun (four to six hours). This variety stands out for extra winter-cold tolerance, and will bloom until frost. Pruning is not required, but blooming on new and old wood makes pruning nearly goof-proof. This IS the hydrangea you’ve been looking for!

This Hydrangea macrophylla hybrid makes a compact mound, making it ideal for smaller spaces, a show-stopping low hedge, or even a focal point container. Like other pink hydrangeas, it will offer up different tones of flowers according to the soil it's planted in. In soil with a neutral to basic pH, blossoms will be rosy pink, sometimes with a tiny, striking, indigo eye at the center. The more acidic the soil leans, the more the blue pigment will show, creating gorgeous violet and mulberry hues. Adding another level of interest, Let’s Dance Big Band is a great cut flower, both in the vase and later dried for wreaths and all kinds of fall creations.

Let's Dance Big Band® Hydrangea Care

Hydrangea means “water vessel” in Greek, and accordingly, this species prefers moist but well-drained soil; constantly wet conditions are not good. It can take some salt spray, which has made them a classic for coastal gardens. Let’s Dance Big Band is hardy from zones 5 through 9, making it welcome from Chicago to California. Because of its ability to bloom on both old and new growth, or wood, pruning at any time will sacrifice a few flowers, so it’s really not needed except for removing any completely dead branches after leaf-bud in spring. Unlike once-blooming varieties, however, even if your well-meaning significant other hard-prunes it, he or she won’t cancel a year’s worth of flowers. To ensure consistent rebloom, regular fertilizing is recommended through July. After July, it can interfere with the plant going dormant for winter, which could lead to some winter damage. Applying granular rose fertilizer in early spring once the ground has thawed, and again in late spring, is recommended.

The sweet spot for the soil pH is 7.0 or higher (neutral to basic) for true, saturated pink flowers. Blue tones, edging toward violet and purple, require an acidic pH of at least 6.5 and the presence of aluminum in the soil. If you wish to change the flower color, test your soil first before applying any additives to prevent contaminating your soil.

Let's Dance Big Band® Hydrangea Spacing

You’ll want to allow a spacing of at least 30” so you never have to prune this easy-care rebloomer.