Description

Wisteria –

There are about 10 twinning woody, deciduous climbers in this genus.  They natural occur in moist woodlands and on stream banks in China, Korea, Japan, and Central and Southern USA.  They have alternate, pinnate, dark green leaves, to 14” or more long composed of 9-19 ovate to lance shaped or elliptic leaflets.  They are grown for their showy, drooping sprays of pea like, perfumed flowers, borne in spring or summer, sometimes with the leaves.  Flowers are followed by poisonous bean like green seed pods.  Train against a wall, into a large tree, over a sturdy arch or pergola, or as a standard.  All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested.

Wisterias like a sunny or partial shady position and humus-rich, well drained soil.  Although they take some time to establish, they become large, vigorous plants and need strong support.  Prune after flowering, and again in winter only if really necessary to control size.

Prone to  dieback, crown gall, leaf spots, virus diseases, Japanese beetle, aphids, leaf miners, scale insects  and mealybugs.

W. sinensis – W. chinensis – Chinese Wisteria – This vigorous, deciduous twinning climber from China is the most widely grown of the Wisterias and can reach heights of 100’ feet high.  The pinnate leaves, each composed of 7-13 elliptic or egg shaped leaflets.  In late spring, bear pea like fragrant, lavender blue to white flowers, in dense, pendent racemes to 12” long, opening more or less with the leaves, they are often followed by bean like, velvety green seed pods, to 6” long.

Zones 5-8