Today’s Garden Ideas

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Chinese Wisteria is a very elegant woody vine that brings a touch of romance to a garden. The flowers, also called racemes, come in soft pastel colors of violet or cream. Chinese Wisteria is a quick climber and needs very strong supports. If fragrance is important to you try the very aromatic ‘Jako’ or the dark purple ‘Black Dragon’

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Planting Location

Chinese Wisteria is very long-lived and grows quickly so be sure to pick a spot away from gutters, roofs or other structures the

woody vine could damage. Plant Chinese Wisteria where is has plenty of room to spread out.

Chinese Wisteria looks lovely at the entrance to your home. Try wrapping it around porch rails or front door columns. In the backyard, for a Victorian look try draping Chinese Wisteria over your potting shed or along the top of a brick wall. If you prefer the formality of an English garden try growing Chinese Wistera over a grape arbor or weave it in and out of a gazebo.

Plant Buddies

Because a full blooming Chinese Wisteria is so overwhelming it tends to overshadow other flowers grown around it. Try keeping a good amount of space between the Chinese Wisteria and other flowers in your garden.

Try growing Rock Daphne with Chinese Wisteria. Its earlier blooms will give it a chance to shine on its own. The Rock Daphne ‘Plena’ is a stunning blue colors and compliments the violet Wisteria.

If you are growing Wisteria along a covered arbor try hanging some flower baskets from the top of the arbor. Fuschia works very well and its bright pink and purple will stand out against the paler Wisteria. A basket of Begonias in bright orange or yellow is a great color contrast. Or try the Begonia ‘Alba’. Its bright white aromatic flowers lend an air of romance to the arbor. A simple basket of greenery is also very complimentary to Chinese Wisteria. Try dark green ferns or ivy against white Wisteria. The green foliage really pops out against the white Wisteria.

Purchasing & Planting

When purchasing a Wisteria vine purchase your plants in the spring. Choose potted plants that are flowering so you can be sure you are getting the correct color. Do not purchase young vines as it may take a few years before they bloom. Stay away from scraggye plants or plants with yellow or brown leaves.

To plant your Wisteria dig a hole about 2 feet deep. Make sure it is wider than the pot holding the Wisteria. Mix in peat moss with the soil. Place your Chinese Wisteria plant in the hole and add soil until it is at the same level on the vine as it was in the pot. Soak the area well with water.

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The next step is to anchor the Wisteria. Place a strong stake next the Wisteria and tie the main vine to it with soft twine. Or, if you are growing your Wisteria against an existing structure, plant the main vine close to an anchoring support on the structure and tie the main branches to it. Prune any branches that are growing in a direction that does not fit with your plan for the shape of the Wisteria. Keep well watered and fertilized. Check with your local nursery for a good fertilizer.

Growing Tips

Wisteria needs to spend at least ½ the day in the sun. The soil should drain well. Once your Wisteria is established it actually prefers poor soil. The vine will actually have more numerous and colorful blooms.

If you are having trouble getting your Wisteria vine to flower insert fuit tree fertilizer spikes around the vine base. This should help the vine produce blooms.

If you want to grow your Wisteria in tree form select one main branch and stake it. Prune all branches below the desired height of your Wisteria. Be sure to nip off any shoots that might develop in the future.

If you notice holes in your Wisteria leaves you probably have caterpillars. To get rid of these creatures remove any nests or visible egg cases.

Seasonal Care

Begin in spring by selecting the most mature vine you can find at the nursery. Plant and support your chosen Wisteria. Water very well and fertilize.

In summer prune back any branches that are too long or appear to be dead or dying. Remove any suckers coming up from the base of the vine. Be sure to water very well during dry spells.

In Fall prune your Wisteria. After the leaves fall and the vine is easy to see tie all loose branches to a support. Reinforce the climbing structure if it appears to have weakened during the blooming season.

Quick Facts

Wisteria can get up to 100 feet wide and 30 feet tall. They grow best in zones 5-9 in full sun and average soil. Wisteria is a very good and quick climber. This vine is fairly disease and insect resistant and is very fragrant. Chinese Wisteria produces white or lavender blooms in the spring.

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Tags: alba, begonias, black dragon, Chinese Wisteria, ferns, fuchsia, jako, Japanese wisteria, plena, prolific, rock daphne, rosea, wisteria