Wisteria sinensis
Chinese wisteria
- Height × spread
- 20m × 20m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
Availability
Generally available in Spring & early Summer
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a much more vigorous species than the Japanese wisteria. It can reach 30m (110ft) height when it is allowed to grow into a mature tree. It can be several years before it starts to flower. This is a wonderful plant which produces unmatched racemes of flowers, mauve or deep lilac, which come before the leaves and hang down in columns. The stems of <I>Wisteria sinensis</I> twine in an anti-clockwise direction. There is some repeat flowering in late summer, but this is not spectacular. There are velvety seedpods in autumn.
- Flower colour
- Blue
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Yellow
- Stem colour
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, floral-rose
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 20m
- Spread
- 20m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Scented garden, Mediterranean garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Screening, Deer resistant, Sensory garden (tactile)
- Walls
- South, West facing
- Deer
- Protect from deer when young if in vulnerable area
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Summer
Summer - mid · Planting
Prune in summer
As well as winter pruning, on young plants tie in growth to a framework and prune sideshoots back to 15cm. When it has filled the allotted space, tie in growth and cut growth back to 15cm of the major branches on your framework, leaving five to six buds.
Winter
Winter - mid · Planting
Prune in winter
Train along horizontal wires on each side of the plant, tie shoots onto wires until the area is filled after a few years. Annually reduce shoots a little to buds. Cut out weak growth. Contain side shoots to 15cm. When mature prune to contain the plant.
Wisteria is a major investment. They don't usually flower for quite a few years, so it is worth obtaining leaflets or literature that give very detailed pruning instructions and which give guidance on pruning to different shapes.
Found in
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American wisteria
Wisteria sinensis 'Prolific'
Chinese wisteria
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Silky wisteria