Wisteria floribunda
Japanese wisteria
- Height × spread
- 5m – 9m × 5m – 9m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Generally available in Spring & early Summer
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Japanese wisteria has twisting branches and very fragrant cascading sprays of pea-shaped blooms in lilac or purple, which appear in early summer. Stunning coverage for walls and buildings or trained on pergolas and arches. Leaves are mid green, turning yellow before falling in autumn. Vigorous, some varieties can reach 9m. To maintain size, prune in late summer and early spring.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Lilac, Pink, Purple, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Column, Fan
- Height
- 5m – 9m
- Spread
- 5m – 9m
- Season of interest
- 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
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Deer resistant
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
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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