Wisteria

There are 10 species of wisteria and most are deciduous climbers found in moist woods and along streambanks. Chinese wisteria is commonly seen naturalized and has become invasive in some areas. American wisteria is native to the central and southern US and has unscented blue flowers that emerge after the leaves. Wisteria features showy, pea-like flowers, borne on racemes in the spring or summer. Wisteria may be trained against a wall, into a large tree or over a pergola. Supports must be very sturdy as vines are heavy and may grow to 30 feet. Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full or partial sun. Prune in July or August to cut back whippy green shoots of the current years growth to help control plant size. In the winter, cut back to two or three buds in January or February to tidy up. As the plant matures, hard prune to stimulate strong, new growth and additional blooms.

• Sun to Part Sun
• Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil
• Prune in summer and winter
• Eye-catching pea-like blooms
• Fast growing
• If allowed to vine, provide a sturdy support