Go ahead - show us your moves: jazz hands, that is. (Not to be confused with spirit fingers, which are kind of creepy.) Seriously, the best part about naming a plant "jazz hands" is that people are compelled to do them while they talk about the plants. Since I tend to talk with my hands all the time it seems only natural to me.
Jazz Hands® Loropetalum have both great foliage color and intense flower color. The flowers, of course, are distinctive fringy blooms that inspired the Jazz Hands® name.
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| The blooms of Jazz Hands® Bold are the largest of any Loropetalum. |
You can go big and
Jazz Hands® Bold, or keep it on the down low with
Jazz Hands® Mini. In between are
Jazz Hands® Dwarf Pink and
Jazz Hands® Dwarf White. And for something totally different,
Jazz Hands® Variegated. All are hardy to USDA Zone 7b and will grow in full sun or part shade. Size does vary, so check out the individual varieties before planting them.
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| Hot pink flowers are an afterthought to the eye-catching foliage of Jazz Hands® Variegated Loropetalum. |
Jazz Hands® go coast to coast.
Not completely, of course. They aren't too happy here in Michigan unless overwintered in a greenhouse (but make a sweet little patio plant).
Loropetalum need a milder climate than ours, so I need to travel to see them in landscapes.
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| Not only does Jazz Hands®Dwarf White have a compact and versatile size, it is also the only rebloomer of the group. |
I saw quite a few of them while in Northern California last week. Visiting California is always fun, for a number of reasons. But the reason that pays the bills is seeing how well many of our plants grow in the region. Jazz Hands®,
Lo & Behold® Buddleia,
Little Quick Fire® Hydrangea paniculata - these are just a few of the plants I saw in landscapes. Season-long color takes on a whole different meaning when your season is pretty much year round.
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| Great groundcover: Jazz Hands® Mini Loropetalum remains under a foot tall. |
Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles
