About
Prolific' is a vigorous, nitrogen-fixing deciduous climber up to 9m high with stems twining anticlockwise, pinnate leaves of 9-13 elliptic or ovate leaflets, and many very aromatic, soft blue-violet flowers in dense, hanging racemes 25-30cm long in late spring and early summer, often followed by bean-like seed pods; it often flowers from a young age, and the flowers are visited by bees in bright or warm weather.
About the genus
Wisteria are vigorous woody climbers with twining stems bearing pinnate leaves and long pendulous racemes of fragrant pea-like flowers in spring and early summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower
ToxicityHarmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow informally into a large strong deciduous tree, or formally against a wall with support such as wires, over an arch or pergola, in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. See wisteria cultivation for more advice
PruningPrune twice a year for best results, see pruning wisteria for detailed advice
PropagationPropagate by basal softwood cuttings from sideshoots from early summer to midsummer and rooted with bottom heat, by layering in autumn, or by grafting in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, and scale insects including wisteria scale
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), phytophthora root rot, coral spot, fungal leaf spot, virus diseases, and powdery mildews