Wisteria Vine
Facts About The Wisteria Vine
The wisteria vine is a popular plant which can be grown as a vine, a shrub, or a tree. There are many different types of wisteria, but most found in gardens are either Japanese wisteria, Wisteria floribunda, or the Chinese wisteria, Wisteria sinensis. Some varieties can be quite invasive, taking over nearby plants or trees or simply spreading through the garden from roots or seeds. Others, probably most, are better mannered, but all wisteria plants should be pruned on occasion, not only to achieve a desired shape and height, but to encourage good blooming, and to counteract any tendency to spread where not wanted.
The wisteria vine is a deciduous vine, characterized by an abundance of blossoms. They can be trained to climb on a post or trellis, used against a fence or lattice work as an attractive screen, or grown as a tree by selective pruning and staking. If a single stem is selected on a young plant, and other shoots or stems are pruned back as they appear, the wisteria will usually grow a fairly thick and sturdy trunk. Once that is accomplished, it's usually just a matter of pruning the tree to the desired height and shape. A wisteria tree is an attractive weeping tree and quite showy when in bloom. The wisteria vine is not usually thought of as a type of ground cove, but unsupported vines can be allowed to run along the ground and cover a small slope or bank.
Food And Water - The wisteria vine is not usually too particular about the soil it is placed in as long as it drains well. Young plants need to be watered well and given an occasional feeding of fertilizer. Once the plant has matured, its root system will be such that watering does not have to be done as often, and there is also less of a need for fertilizer. A fertilizer rich in nitrogen given to an established plant, may result in healthy foliage but few blooms, or none at all. If this occurs, it's usually best to hold off on fertilizer the next growing season, or give the plant fertilizer which is very low in nitrogen. Blooming can also be encouraged by root pruning. Simply cut off the roots with a spade in a circle a foot or so from the trunk. This is best done just after a normal blooming period and not before.
Unless grown as a screen, constant attention to new shoots and young branches is required so that they can be pruned or trained in accordance with how the plant should appear. If left unattended, shoots and new branches can easily grow into a tangle, or latch on to a nearby plant.
Wisteria Floribunda - Japanese wisteria vines feature blooms in long 18" clusters. The blooms do not open all at once, but start at the base of a cluster and spread towards the tip, making for a somewhat lengthy blooming period. Most varieties of Japanese wisteria have blooms that are blue or violet in color, but there are also varieties featuring pink, purple, and lavender blossoms.
Wisteria Sinensis - The Chinese wisteria vine, Wisteria sinensis, is the most widely planted type. While the blossoms on the Japanese wisteria appear at the same time as do the leaves, the blossoms precede the appearance of foliage on the Chinese wisteria. Also, the blossoms open all at once, resulting in a shorter but much more showy blooming period than is the case with the Japanese wisteria. One popular variety, "Alba" features pure white blossoms.
The wisteria vine does best when planted in full sun, although certain of the Chinese varieties can be planted in shade as well.