Bigleaf Hydrangea 'Starlight': Reblooming Lacecap from the Let's Dance® Series

Let's Dance® Starlight: The First Reblooming Lacecap

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Starlight' (PP20019, cultivar name 'Lynn') made history as the first lacecap hydrangea in the revolutionary Let's Dance® series—reblooming on both old and new wood. Hybridized by Dr. Michael Dirr's program (Wood) and introduced in 2008, it brought remontancy to the lacecap class for the first time.

Reblooming Lacecaps

The lacecap inflorescences are 4–6 inches across, with a central dome of tiny fertile flowers—vivid blue in acid soil, deep pink in alkaline—surrounded by a ring of large, showy sterile florets. The ability to bloom on new wood means a continuous display from early summer into autumn, even if winter damages old-wood buds. The sterile florets have a subtle, star-like quality, inspiring the name.

The plant is compact, 2–3 feet tall and wide, with strong stems and disease-resistant, glossy green foliage.

Reliable Performance

Morning sun or bright shade, consistent moisture, well-drained soil. Hardy in USDA zones 5–9. The reblooming habit provides insurance against winter kill and pruning mistakes. More compact and manageable than older lacecap cultivars.

Taxonomic Profile

• Family: Hydrangeaceae
• Genus: Hydrangea
• Species: macrophylla
• Cultivar: 'Lynn' (Let's Dance® Starlight; PP20019)
• Hybridizer: Wood (Dirr program)
• Introduced: 2008

Modern Classic

'Starlight' combines the airy elegance of a lacecap with the reliability modern gardeners demand. Its compact size suits containers, small spaces, and the front of borders. The star-like florets shine in moonlight gardens. A milestone in hydrangea breeding that delivers on its promise.