Hydrangea macrophylla L.A. Dreamin’® ‘Lindsey Ann’
Overview
Uses: Mixed borders, foundation plantings, entryways, mass plantings, and cut flower gardens.
Benefits: A reblooming bigleaf hydrangea that shows pink, blue, and lavender blooms on the same plant, with no soil amending needed. Flowers on old and new wood from early summer into fall on sturdy upright stems.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Deciduous Shrub
Growth Habit: Rounded, Upright — sturdy stems hold big blooms.
Bloom Color: Pink, Blue, and Lavender on the same plant
Foliage Color: Dark Green
Mature Height: 4–5 feet
Mature Width: 4–5 feet
Bloom Season: Early summer to fall
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
Pink, blue, and lavender mopheads on the same plant, all summer long.
Most bigleaf hydrangeas pick a lane: pink in sweeter soils, blue in acidic ones, and it takes soil treatments to change that. L.A. Dreamin’® carries a mix of pink, blue, and lavender flower heads on the same plant at the same time, with no amending needed to get the effect. Soil still nudges the balance, with more acidic ground leaning toward blue and more alkaline ground toward pink.
It is a reblooming type that flowers on both old and new wood. The first big flush comes in early summer, and new flowers keep forming through the season into fall. The large, rounded blooms sit on sturdy, upright stems that hold them well above the dark green foliage.
The plant forms a rounded shrub about four to five feet tall and wide, a good size for a foundation bed, a mass planting along a fence, or a pair flanking an entry. The blooms cut well for fresh arrangements and dry nicely late in the season.
Care
L.A. Dreamin’® Bigleaf Hydrangea Care
Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal, especially in warmer zones. In the North it can take more sun as long as the soil stays moist. Deep, all-day shade reduces flowering.
Plant in rich, moist, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Bigleaf hydrangeas wilt quickly in dry ground, so avoid hot, exposed spots.
Water deeply two or three times a week through the first growing season, and during hot, dry weather in later years. Midday wilting on a hot afternoon is common; if leaves are still drooping the next morning, the plant needs water. A two-to-three-inch layer of mulch helps hold moisture.
Feed once in spring with a slow release fertilizer. Heavy feeding produces leaves at the expense of flowers.
Prune lightly. In spring, wait until buds break so you can see which stems are alive, then cut out any dead wood. Snip off faded flowers through summer to encourage more blooms. Avoid cutting the whole plant back in fall or early spring, which removes the buds for the first summer flush. In Zone 5, a few inches of mulch or shredded leaves around the base in late fall helps protect the lower buds.
Size
What Size is the L.A. Dreamin’® Bigleaf Hydrangea for Sale Online?
Our L.A. Dreamin’® Bigleaf Hydrangea ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. Plants ship dormant or near dormant in the off-season, so they may arrive with few or no leaves. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does L.A. Dreamin’® Bigleaf Hydrangea Grow?
Expect about 4 to 5 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide at maturity, in a rounded, upright shape. Space plants about 4 feet apart for a continuous mass planting.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
- Bigleaf hydrangea
- Mophead hydrangea
- French hydrangea
Why are the flowers different colors on the same plant?
L.A. Dreamin’® was selected for its tendency to show several colors at once, so pink, blue, and lavender heads appear together without special treatment. Bigleaf hydrangea color still responds to soil, so plants in strongly acidic soil show more blue, and plants in alkaline soil show more pink. Most garden soils produce the mixed effect.
Will it still bloom if winter damages the buds?
Yes. Because it blooms on both old and new wood, the plant still flowers on new stems if a cold winter or a late spring frost kills buds on last year’s growth. The first flush may be lighter in that case, but summer and fall blooms follow. For more flowering shrubs, see our Shrubs & Bushes.
Will deer eat it?
Deer do browse hydrangeas, especially tender new growth and flower buds. Where deer pressure is heavy, plant it close to the house, use a repellent, or protect it with netting. For plants deer tend to avoid, see our Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens.
