Wisteria Care
Beginner Tips for Wisteria Care
With proper Wisteria care, this hardy vine would grow strong and healthy. This particular plant is beautiful and as it matures, gorgeous clusters of flowers bloom. As a part of the Fabaceae family, the name comes from Professor Caspar Wistar who worked at the University of Pennsylvania. Although he passed on in 1818, he left behind a legacy of identifying the Wisteria and teaching people proper Wisteria care.
The hanging flowers come in varying shades of blue, purple, pink, and white, which is great for adding character to any garden. The two most popular species are the Chinese Wisteria and Japanese Wisteria. For the Chinese variety, it can reach heights of 25 feet and the blooms when open easily reach between six and twelve inches long.
The Black Dragon is by far the most famous of all Chinese varieties, which produces large, double blooms although the Plena with lilac flowers shaped like rosettes and the Alba with pure white flowers and wonderful fragrance are also popular. With proper Wisteria care, the flowers will surpass your expectations.
The Japanese varieties of Wisteria also grow to about 25 feet tall but the blooms are actually larger than the Chinese plants, reaching between twelve and eighteen inches long. Best of all, Japanese varieties typically have flowers with unrivaled fragrance. The Violacea Plena is a popular choice that produces flowers of reddish purple. However, the Rosea with light rose-colored flowers with purple tips and the Longissima that produces clusters of lavender flowers are also great choices.
Because this plant climbs, the first thing you need to know about Wisteria care is that proper support is required in the form or a pergola, trellis, or arbor. Make sure the support is strong and placed away from the house or other structure in that they can attach and cause significant damage. Therefore, allow the Wisteria to grow but away from the home.
In addition, Wisteria care involves regular pruning. If you fail to do this, the plant would quickly take over and then be difficult to bring under control. Remember the size of the variety chosen so you can choose the right space accordingly. Wisteria care also means providing the plant with lots of sunlight and make sure the soil drains well. We suggest the soil be 24 inches deep and mixed with manure, compost, or peat to help it drain better.
The pH level of the soil also goes along with proper Wisteria care. The normal pH range would fall between 6.0 and 7.0. To maintain that range, you can purchase an inexpensive testing kit from your local nursery or gardening center. If the levels are off, they can easily be corrected. For instance lime could be added if the soil is low on acid or pine needles or bark be used to bring acid levels down.
Finally, water is vital for proper Wisteria care. This particular plant likes to be thoroughly watered at the base and about two to three feet out. Then, once a year, be sure to provide the Wisteria with fertilizer until it reaches maturity. Keep in mind that even with great Wisteria care, you may not see blooms for one to two years, which is perfectly normal but when they do appear, you will be awestruck with the beauty.