5 days Ago By Taila Nichole Thompson
Wisteria is an evanescent climbing vine, bearing captivating pendants of scented flowers in May and June, and gardeners are advised to tie in the shoots for their support during this season. There are many species of wisteria but the two most commonly grown in the UK are Wisteria sinensis and Wisteria floribunda . Wisteria sinensis grows in an counterclockwise direction and Wisteria floribunda grows in a clockwise direction.
Wisteria plants have immensely strong and woody stems and, in time, the stems can become as thick as tiny tree branches – it's not a climbing plant for a delicate trellis. Wisteria also offers valuable autumn colour and attractive pea-like seed pods. The best way to grow wisteria plants is against a sturdy wall, such as up the front of a house (which also adds an element of character to the property), in moist but well-drained soil, ideally in a south- or west-facing direction.
Prune in February and again in August. Feed with a high potash fertiliser in spring to encourage flowers to bloom. It is still possible to grow wisteria plants in a pot if you like but only if you are growing it as a standard tree and when pruning it regularly to maintain its form – this is a very high maintenance option.
Wisteria is a very high maintenence plant to look after and should be fed regularly with a high potash fertiliser during the growing season, to encourage more flowers to bloom. Water and feed pot-grown wisterias weekly. In autumn, mulch with organic matter such as well-rotted horse manure or home-made compost.
Wisteria should be pruned twice a year, in August and February. or the first few years give your attention to training the plant into the support. This involves pruning very low branches out, training in strong side shoots and cutting back side shoots to five buds in early August.
Summer-pruning wisteria encourages the development of short-flowering spurs that will carry the blooms in spring..
