Wisteria sinensis
Chinese wisteria
Pendent clusters of fragrant, pea-like, usually bluish-lilac flowers in May and June, often followed by velvety green seed-pods. This vigorous Chinese...
9cm pot | 15cm cane | seed grown
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2 litre pot | 60cm cane | seed grown
£19.99
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3 litre pot | 60cm cane | grafted
£39.99
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5 litre pot | 1.5m cane | grafted
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Plant description
Pendent clusters of fragrant, pea-like, usually bluish-lilac flowers in May and June, often followed by velvety green seed-pods. This vigorous Chinese wisteria looks fabulous trained over a sunny wall or strong pergola. Renowned for its superior fragrance, the twining stems need careful pruning.
Our seed-raised wisterias are easier to propagate than those grown from cuttings or grafting, and therefore they're a more affordable option. They will however take longer to bloom (typically 6 to 7 years) compared to those propagated by vegetative methods, which typically start flowering after 3 to 5 years. Also, a grafted plant will have less variability in flower colour and size.
Our seed-raised wisterias are easier to propagate than those grown from cuttings or grafting, and therefore they're a more affordable option. They will however take longer to bloom (typically 6 to 7 years) compared to those propagated by vegetative methods, which typically start flowering after 3 to 5 years. Also, a grafted plant will have less variability in flower colour and size.
Eventual height & spread
Flowering period
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Plant features
Position
Full sun
Rate of growth
Fast-growing
Soil
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness
Fully hardy
How to care for Wisteria sinensis:
To get lots of flowers, the twining stems need pruning twice a year - once in summer (about two months after the flowering has finished) and again in mid-winter. To train your wisteria against a wall, the wall will first need a network of stout horizontal wires, attached at approximately 30cm intervals. After planting, prune the leading shoot of your wisteria back to approximately 90cm above ground level and remove any side branches as this will encourage a strong new leader to form. In the summer of the first growing season, tie the leader in vertically and choose two new lateral shoots on either side of the leader. Tie these onto the wires at a 45 degree angle. Any smaller shoots coming from these lateral branches should be cut back to two or three buds. In the first winter, cut back the leader to a bud approximately 75cm above the highest lateral branch. Gently untie the lateral branches and prune them back by about a third, then re-tie them onto a wire so they are nearly horizontal. In subsequent summers (and until the plant has filled the allotted space), tie in the leader as it grows and choose two strong laterals to form the next tier. These should then be tied in at a 45 degree angle and as in the previous year, any smaller shoots coming from these should be cut back to two or three buds. In subsequent winters cut back the leading shoot as before and cut back and re-tie the new laterals to a near-horizontal position. The older laterals can be cut back by about a third of their total length. Once the plant has become established and reached the desired height, keep tying in the lateral stems as they spread out. In summer, cut back the wispy stems on both the laterals and sub-laterals (the side shoots from the laterals) to about five or six buds from the main branches. In winter, cut back these stems even harder to within two or three buds of the main branches. These form the short spurs that will go on to produce flowers in the following spring.
Please note:
This climber is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.
Warning
Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten
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