Wisteria

From different varieties to flowering and caretaking tips: find out all about wisteria!

The beautiful, purple-blue clusters of wisteria are a favourite of many. This garden plant is very popular as a climbing plant against facades and pergolas, but also shines in a pot on your balcony. Did you know that wisteria's flowers can also be white or pink in colour? From species to care, pruning and symbolism, read on and find out all about wisteria here!

WISTERIA: CHARACTERISTICS AND FLOWERs

Wisteria, also known as the garland plant, is one of the fastest-growing climbing plants. If it has the space, the plant can grow as much as 2-3 metres per year. Wisteria has lush blooms and is characterised by its large flower clusters, which can grow up to 60 centimetres long and hang down like a waterfall. The flowers are usually purple-blue in colour, but there are also varieties with white or pink flowers.

Wisteria flowers have a sweet scent that is beloved by humans, butterflies, bees and other pollinators alike. This plant treats you to clusters of flowers year after year and can stay beautiful and bloom for up to 50 years! The tendrils of wisteria can grow up to 20-30 metres high and 10 metres wide. The dark green leaves of wisteria only appear when the plant is already flowering in some species.

Wisteria belongs to the papilionaceous family (Fabaceae), which also includes plants such as sweet pea and broom. Wisteria usually blooms from late spring to early summer (between April and June). The flowering period varies from a few weeks to months. The duration of flowering depends on weather conditions and the specific species. Sometimes wisteria blooms a second time in autumn, but the flowering tends to be less profuse than in spring.

WISTERIA: a headstrong grower

Wisteria is called a climbing plant, but it's also known as a strangling plant. In nature, the plant snakes around a tree or other tall object. Are you planning to grow wisteria against your the wall of your home, fence or pergola? Wisteria doesn't have the ability to self-attach (unlike a plant such as ivy, for example) and needs to be helped along with a fixing sturdy material. Note that wisteria possesses enormous growing power. Never let wisteria grow against a drainpipe, fragile or old walls or other spots where care should be taken. The strong branches can become as thick as a human arm, causing damage to the plant it wraps itself around or to the material itself.

Although wisteria can grow huge, its root system remains relatively small. Wisteria fans need not fear for the foundation of your house or shed. 

WISTERIA SPECIES

Wisteria is a versatile plant. It will happily climb the walls of houses and pergolas, but also does well in a pot or other smaller growing arrangement. There are various species, but the two best known are the Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) and the Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda). Roughly speaking, there are four common species of wisteria:

  • Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis): Chinese wisteria is native to China and is known for its long flower clusters and lush growth (floribunda means richly flowering). This species is right-turning, meaning the plant grows to the right (clockwise from above). Chinese wisteria usually flowers as early as May, while the leaves have barely developed (also called naked flowering).
  • Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda): Japanese wisteria is native to Japan. This species has more compact flower clusters and often more richly coloured flowers than the Chinese wisteria. This species is left-turning, meaning the plant grows to the left (counterclockwise from above). Japanese wisteria usually flowers a little later than Chinese wisteria. 
  • Hybrids of Chinese and Japanese wisteria: there are also hybrids of the above two species, called Wisteria x formosa. These species have characteristics of both Chinese and Japanese wisteria. It has long flower clusters that bloom before leaves appear (as in Chinese wisteria) and variegated leaves similar to Japanese wisteria.
  • American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens): this species is left-turning and grows less tall than Chinese and Japanese wisteria (about 4 metres). Also, the flower clusters are more compact and have a weaker scent. This makes this species easier to place in a pot. 

WISTERIA STEMS

Wisteria grown on stems really lives up to its name, as the flower clusters hang down like a waterfall. You can buy standing wisteria or grow it yourself by growing and pruning wisteria specifically. Let a large, sturdy main shoot develop into a trunk, or you can ‘braid’ a number of main shoots into one trunk. Give the trunk a support pole for the first few years of growth. Prune the plant at the usual times (early spring and after flowering in summer). 

how to plant wisteria

Are you looking to plant wisteria into the ground, in a pot, against a wall, pergola or other sturdy object? Check out the tips and step-by-step plan for planting garden plants here and see our advice below for planting wisteria. 

  • The best time to plant wisteria is in spring (April/May) or in autumn (well before frosts set in). During this period, the soil is warm enough but not too dry, allowing the roots to develop in the best way.
  • Keep in mind that wisteria needs to get going a bit before the it flowers profusely. It may take several years for the wisteria to produce flowers. Wisteria flowers on a biennial basis, although some varieties do produce flowers the first year. 
  • If you plant wisteria in a pot, bear in mind that this requires more maintenance. You will have to grow the plant as a tree on a stem, prune, water and feed it regularly. 

WISTERIA: LOCATION AND CAREtaking

Planning to plant wisteria? Check out these tips for the best location advice and caretaking tips for wisteria. 

  • Wisteria is undemanding in terms of location. It thrives best in a spot in the sun or semi-shade. Wisteria likes sun, but its roots need shade. 
  • The soil may be rich and a little moist, but it should be well-drained and not soggy.
  • Wisteria grows very quickly, so give the plant plenty of space.
  • Do not overfeed wisteria. This leads to lots of leaves and fewer flowers.
  • Water wisteria sufficiently during hot, dry periods.
  • Apply a layer of mulch (organic material) around the plant in spring. Note: wisteria does not like nitrogen-rich fertiliser. Fertilising is not always necessary (too much means too many leaves and few flowers). Preferably, you should use a small amount of organic fertiliser with phosphorus. 
  • Wisteria cannot attach itself to buildings (as ivy can, for example). Guide the branches of wisteria with sturdy material, such as binding wire.
  • Note: When guiding wisteria in the direction of growth, keep in mind the direction of rotation of the plant (Chinese wisteria rotates clockwise, Japanese wisteria rotates anti-clockwise).
  • To encourage rich flowering, guide side branches horizontally. 
  • It may take several years for wisteria to flower. If, after a few years, you're still not seeing the blooms you want, check on the conditions of your plant. Lack of flowers could be due to too little sunlight, incorrect pruning and/or too much nitrogen in the soil, among other things. 

WISTERIA: HARDY, BUT NOT EVERGREEN

Wisteria is hardy down to temperatures of -15°C, so the plant can handle British winters just fine without adverse effects. Have you planted wisteria into a pot? Then the plant needs extra protection around its root ball during a period of frost. Despite being hardy, wisteria is not an evergreen plant, which means that it will drop its leaves in autumn. 

WHEN AND HOW should you prune wisteria?

Wisteria grows very quickly, so it's necessary to prune the plant properly and at the right time. Check out our tips for pruning wisteria:

  • Preferably, you should prune wisteria twice a year, because the plant grows very quickly. If you don't, it quickly becomes a tangle of long, thin branches.
  • Prune wisteria before flowering in early spring (February/March) and after flowering (July/August).
    • Early spring: make sure there is no severe frost still to come, and prune wisteria before the flower buds start to grow. Prune long, young shoots back about 10-15 centimetres from the main branches (the old wood). Leave the main branches alone as much as possible, unless they get too big. Remove any dead or damaged branches.
    • After flowering: prune wisteria after the plant has finished flowering. Do not prune during a hot and dry period and not in full sun (i.e. in the morning or evening when the light is lower). Prune back long, young shoots to about 40 centimetres from the main branches (the old-growth wood). Remove any dead or damaged branches and leave the main branches alone as much as possible.
  • Are you pruning wisteria that's growing on a stem? If so, you may need to prune the plant more rigorously to keep its shape.
  • Wisteria flowers on old wood. That means that the flowers bloom on old branches and not on the branches that grow that year. Don't prune wisteria back too rigorously, or you will have no flowers that year! 

IS WISTERIA POISONOUS?

Yes, wisteria is hugely toxic to both pets and humans. In particular, the pods and seeds formed after flowering are poisonous (ingesting even just two pods can cause symptoms), but the twigs and roots are also poisonous. Symptoms when ingested can range from abdominal pain to vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness and headache, depending on the amount ingested. The plant's sap can cause eye irritation. Be careful if you have small children and/or pets. In case of ingestion or intensive skin contact, always consult a vet or doctor.

WISTERIA symbolism

Wisteria symbolises love, romance, happiness and immortality. The beautiful floral clusters of wisteria are often associated with love and romance. Due to its lush growth and abundant flowering, wisteria is also seen as a symbol of abundance and happiness. The oldest wisteria is found in Japan and is more than 1,200 years old. As the plant live and grows happily for so long, it symbolises immortality and infinity. 

WISTERIA ORIGINS

Wisteria is native to China, Japan and Korea. There, the plant snakes around trees and other objects, and wisteria has been used in gardens and parks for centuries because of its decorative value. Wisteria is also often seen in art and in family crests. In the 19th century, the plant was introduced to Europe and North America. Soon the plant became popular for its graceful and enchanting inflorescence. Today, wisteria is one of the most popular and common climbing plants in gardens around the world.

WHERE DOES THE NAME ‘WISTERIA’ COME FROM? 

Wisteria is named after the American physician Caspar Wistar. The ‘wisteria’ was named after him in 1818 by botanist Thomas Nutattall, in honour of his influence on science and his contribution to the field of anatomy and medicine. Wistar was founder of anatomy in the United States. 

Back to top