About
A vigorous, deciduous, twining climber about 9m in height or more with green leaves divided into 9-13 leaflets, bronze when young. Scented, pea-like, blue-mauve flowers, the standard petals are pale mauve with small greenish-yellow eyes and darker wing and keel petals, are produced in long trusses, in mid spring, and may be followed by bean-like, velvety pale green seed pods 15cm long.
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
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, 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
CultivationA large, long-lived climber so choosing the right site is important. Can be grown informally through large tree or trained against a house wall. Will grow in most soils that are moist but well-drained in sun or part shade. See wisteria cultivation for more advice
PruningPrune twice a year for best results, see pruning wisteria for detailed advice
PropagationPropagate by layering in spring, softwood cuttings from late spring to early summer, hardwood cuttings in winter, root cuttings in late winter or grafting in late 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