Loropetalum Chinense Jazz Hands Var. #3-Deer Resistant

Does your landscape look a little... quiet? Are you staring at a sea of green bushes that blend into the background and do absolutely nothing exciting?

If your garden needs a wake-up call, meet the Loropetalum ‘Jazz Hands’. The flowers are significantly larger and fluffier, looking like bright pink fireworks exploding against the dark purple foliage. It doesn’t just sit there; it performs.

Loropetalum are popular in the Piedmont for a reason: they generally love it here. They are incredibly heat-tolerant and actually seem to enjoy our humid summers. While a really harsh, windy winter in King might make them drop a few leaves, they almost always bounce back stronger in the spring. They handle our acidic clay soil like champions.

Why We Recommend It:

• Supersized Blooms: This is the main reason to buy ‘Jazz Hands’ over generic varieties. The "fringe" flowers are bigger, and the color is more intense (usually a hot, electric pink). When it blooms in the spring, you can see it from the street.

• Purple 365 Days a Year: Even when it’s not blooming, the foliage does the heavy lifting. The leaves are a deep, rich purple (sometimes with a cranberry tint). It breaks up the monotony of green foundation plants and makes a perfect backdrop for yellow daylilies or white hydrangeas.

• Deer Resistant: While no plant is 100% deer-proof (especially when they are hungry in February), Loropetalum are generally not on the menu. The deer usually walk right past the textured leaves to eat your other plants instead.

Best Used For:

• High-contrast foundation plantings (Purple looks great against brick).

• Accent plants in mixed borders.

• Privacy screens (depending on the specific variety size).

• Containers (the 'Mini' versions work great in pots).

The Specs:

Check the tag to make sure you grab the right size for your spot!

• Growth Rate: Fast (these guys want to grow!).

• Mature Size: Note: ‘Jazz Hands’ is a series!

  • Jazz Hands Mini: nice and low (10–12 inches tall).

  • Jazz Hands Bold: big and impressive (5–6 ft tall).

  • Check the tag to make sure you grab the right size for your spot!

• Sun/Soil: Full Sun brings out the best purple color. Thrives in acidic, well-drained soil (add a little pine bark conditioner when planting).

Check out the full technical details on the NC State Extension Plant Toolbox, or come see them here at Mitchell’s Nursery.