Wisteria

(Pro - nun - see - ashun )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of deciduous vines needs full sun and little to moderate water. The flowers will attract butterflies to your yard. They are woody vines that are long-lived and beautiful when in bloom. All have green leaves and drooping clusters of blossoms that can come in white, blue, purple, or pink. Fall color is usually yellow. Use Wisteria vines to create grand entrances, to shade patios and walkways, to cover buildings and other structures in the landscape, or simply as specimens for their beautiful flowers. Take care when planting Wisteria vines in the garden, as all plant parts are toxic to humans and pets.

Wisteria Species and Varietals

The genus Wisteria is a member of the plant family Fabaceae, and includes just four species. The best growing zones for Wisteria vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Wisteria brachybotrys (Wisteria venusta) (Silky Wisteria)
This species grows well in zones 3-24 and is native to Japan. Leaves are green and silky, and white flowers are very fragrant. Varieties include 'Shiro Kapitan' ('Alba'; commonly sold variety with white flowers with yellow markings; flowers are sometimes double), and 'Murasaki Kapitan' ('Violacea'; with blue-purple blossoms that have white markings).

Wisteria floribunda (Japanese Wisteria)
This species is native to Japan, was brought to the United States in the 1830's, and grows well in zones 2-24. Fragrant clusters of violet flowers bloom during the leafout period. Varieties are available in white, pink, blue, purple, and lavender; flowers are usually marked with white or yellow. Vines reach up to 30 feet long.

Wisteria frutescens (American Wisteria)
These perennial climbing vines are deciduous, and are native to wet forest areas and streambanks in the southeastern United States. Vining stems can reach up to 50 feet long. and produce green ferny foliage and panicles of lightly scented, purple-blue to white flowers.

Wisteria sinensis (Chinese Wisteria)
This species of Wisteria is best in zones 3-24 and is native to China. This is a very commonly grown Wisteria across the United States. Flowers appear before leaves do on this vine, nearly all at once. They are violet-blue and slightly fragrant. Can bloom in sun or shade. Varieties include 'Alba' (with white flowers) and 'Prolific' (flowers appear at an early age). These plants are considered to be invasive weeds in some areas; check with local authorities before planting.

Caring for Wisteria

The best start you can give your Wisteria is to purchase one that is a cutting-grown or grafted type. This will give you a head-start and create more likely circumstances that your plant will bloom in the first year. These perennial vines are happiest when planted in a spot in which they can climb a structure. They can reach up to 50 feet long (though this varies depending on the species and varietal grown), and will need adequate space for their mature size. It is recommended that they are planted between 10 and 15 feet away from other plants. In areas with particularly cool winters or strong winds, these vines will need to be planted in a protected area. They appreciate full sun, and do best when they receive between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day. In warm, dry climates, younger plants will appreciate some late afternoon shade when temperatures are the hottest. Ensure that soil is rich and well-draining. If local soils are compacted, do not drain well, or are particularly poor in nutrients, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic matter or compost before installing. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant after installation, ensuring that mulch stays at least a few inches away from the stems. This will increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain a constant soil temperature. Keep the soil moist while plants establish a strong root system; mature plants are considered somewhat drought-tolerant, but they do appreciate consistent moisture during the growth and flowering season.

It is best to keep a constant eye on these vines and their spreading habit to avoid becoming overwhelmed with their growth. Take care in establishing the form you want when the plant is young: multi-trunk or single, and frequently remove growth that is not growing towards that end. If your plant only has one stem, pinch it back to encourage new, bushier growth. Prune blooming plants each wintertime when the plants are in their dormant stage by cutting back or thinning out side shoots. In summer, cut back long streamers before they tangle with the main body of the plant. Wisteria vines do not require any feedings to flower and grow well, though to maintain good soil tilth and nutrient availability, it is recommended to apply a thick layer of compost to the area around the base of plants each year in springtime.

Propagation

Although these vines can be propagated through cuttings as well as via seed, propagation by cutting is so simple and straightforward (and successful) that cutting is a better option in most cases. To propagate your Wisteria vine, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Wisteria by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new vine.