If you have ever grown a big, healthy hydrangea that refused to bloom, you are not alone. Late frosts, unpredictable springs, deer damage, and mistimed pruning have frustrated gardeners for years. Reblooming hydrangeas helped, but many still rely heavily on old-wood buds that are easily lost to cold weather.

Everything changed when Proven Winners® ColorChoice® introduced a new class of hydrangeas by crossing bigleaf hydrangea with mountain hydrangea. These hybrids deliver reliable blooms, improved hardiness, and long-lasting color in ways traditional hydrangeas simply cannot.

Why These Hybrids Bloom So Well

Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) originate from mild coastal regions of Japan and bloom mainly on old wood, which makes them vulnerable to frost damage. Mountain hydrangeas (Hydrangea serrata), native to colder/mountainous regions, are naturally more bud hardy, and have lacecap flowers.

By hybridizing the two, breeders created plants that offer fuller flowers, stronger bud hardiness, and faster new-wood blooming. But what is really special is, their buds form along the entire stem, not just at the tips. That means even if frost, deer, or pruning removes top buds, lower buds still flower, plus new wood blooms appear earlier than with traditional rebloomers.

Meet the Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Hybrid Hydrangeas

Let’s Dance ¡Arriba!® Hydrangea
One of the first introductions in this class, Let’s Dance ¡Arriba! proves just how dependable these hybrids can be. Bold mophead flowers shift from hot pink to purple-blue, and its compact 2–3 foot size works beautifully in landscapes and containers. It blooms early, blooms often, and handles spring weather swings with ease.

Let’s Dance Can Do!® Hydrangea
This variety is often the “aha” moment for frustrated hydrangea growers. Buds form all along the stems, delivering earlier and more consistent blooms. Its full lacecap flowers shift from pink to purple depending on soil conditions. 3-4’ tall/wide.

Let’s Dance Sky View® Continuous Blooming Hydrangea
For gardeners dreaming of true blue hydrangeas, Sky View is the standout. It flowers early, reblooms quickly, and continues producing blooms from early summer through fall, even after frost damage. Its compact, 2-3’ rounded habit makes it an easy fit in modern landscapes, and its dependable performance earns it the title of Continuous Blooming Hydrangea.

Tips for Growing Success

Light: Part sun to full sun, with morning sun preferred
Soil: Moist, well-draining soil
Flower Color: Color can be influenced by soil, though not all varieties are bred to turn blue
Water: Water deeply two to three times per week, more during heat
Hardiness: Super hardy to USDA Zone 4 across the entire hybrid series
See more tips about how to plant a new hydrangea here.

The Bottom Line

Proven Winners® ColorChoice® H. macrophylla/serrata hybrids are among the most reliable and rewarding hydrangeas available. If you want more blooms, earlier color, and fewer disappointments, this is the hydrangea class to plant.

And with more of these new cultivars in the pipeline, this high-performing family is only getting bigger, and better.