Beautiful hues of purple, pink, white, and lilac are shown off by colorful wisteria vines and trees. Wisteria clusters, which are fragrant and scented, cascade from vine-covered trees, bringing color and fragrance to garden settings. American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) and Asian wisterias, such as Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) and Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), are two popular ornamental varieties of the plant.
The most gorgeous and vivid varieties of wisteria plants are covered in this article. You’ll learn about how to fill your spring and summer gardens with vibrant colors by learning about caring for this woody vining plant.
What is Wisteria?
Wisteria is a genus of colorful hanging flower clusters known as racemes that blooms on deciduous climbing or vining vines. Wisteria plants grow as fast-growing vines that can reach lengths of up to 40 feet (12 meters). flowers are 24 inches (60 cm) long and bloom for many seasons. plants, all members of the Fabaceae family of legumes, are ten different species. Japan, China, Korea, and the United States are all home to the blooming vines.
Types of Wisteria Plants
Asian and American wisteria vines are the most common varieties. Wisteria floribunda, from Japan, and Wisteria sinensis, from China are two Asian wisterias to consider. The American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) and Kentucky wisteria (Wisteria macrostachya) are two types of wisteria vines found in the United States.
Wisterias from Asia have showier, longer, and more colorful blooms than wisterias from the United States. Native American wisteria vines, on the other hand, are less invasive than Asian varieties.
How to Care for Wisteria
The climbing plant should be placed in full sun and well-draining, moderately fertile soil to care for a wisteria vine. To control their size and encourage purple, pink, and white blooms, wisteria vines need regular, heavy pruning. For support, plant the climbing vine near a fence, pergola, arbor, or house wall.
When to Plant Wisteria
Wisteria should be planted in the spring or fall, when it’s best. When replanting, the plant is dormant and is less stressed. If moved during dormancy, container wisteria is also easier to care for when planted in the ground.
Where to Plant Wisteria
To guarantee that wisteria vines bloom on a regular basis, plant them in full sun on a south- or west-facing wall. Pick a spot with good compost and well-drained soil. It’s good to know that wisteria is a drought-tolerant perennial vining plant that grows well once it’s established.
Wisteria is a long-lived vine that thrives in tough, demanding conditions. A wisteria vine needs to be planted in a location that has enough support for a huge vine and loads of gorgeous blooms.
On house walls, many pictures of wisteria blossoms may be found. It’s important to keep in mind that strong vines and roots may damage property if they’re not handled properly. Wisteria vines are also difficult to replant once they have become established. Containers are also ideal for growing wisteria plants. The containers restrict the size of potted wisteria plants. As a result, even in tiny, compact gardens, you can enjoy the vibrant hanging flower clusters.
Pruning Wisteria
Wisteria vines need regular pruning to keep them looking nice. Wisteria must be pruned twice a year, in the summer and late winter. Bi-annual trimming stimulates a spectacular purple, pink, or white blossom display. In the summer, cut off leggy growth from a wisteria to about 12″ (30 cm) in length.
The stem should have around five or six leaves remaining. Flower buds thrive when wisteria is pruned in this manner. Trim the wisteria vines to around four buds (4 inches/10 centimeters) later in the winter. You don’t have to trim wisteria until it covers the garden structure or wall.
Wisteria Tree vs. Wisteria Vines
Wisteria is a woody vine that may be trimmed and taught to develop as a tree. Without supporting an enormous vine, growing a wisteria tree is an excellent way to view the spectacular color displays of cascading racemes. To create an overhanging canopy, it is necessary to support the main stem and regularly trim side shoots of a wisteria tree.
Wisteria Flowers
The most characteristic feature of wisterias is their clusters of wonderfully scented colorful blossoms cascading from vines. The gorgeous flower arrangements transform garden settings into purple, lilac, mauve, pink, and white hues. Wisteria blooms bloom in the early spring and may stay until late summer. Remember that newly planted wisterias take a few years to bloom into color, so patience is required.
Wisterias produce abundant blooms every year with dangling purple, white, and pink racemes once they are well-established in the ground. Make sure the plant receives six hours of sunlight each day to encourage wisteria species to bloom with layers of blooms every year. Don’t overwater or over-fertilize the wisteria vines by pruning them twice a year to encourage blooming.
Wisteria Color
The hue most linked to wisteria blossoms is purple. Nonetheless, various pastel hues of Japanese wisterias, Chinese wisterias, and American wisterias exist. Purple-blue, pink, lilac, and white are the most popular wisteria flower colors.
Wisteria Leaves
Wisteria leaves are tiny, glossy green, smooth leaflets that make up a compound leaf. Leaflets range in length from 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 cm) and in width from 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm). The leaves of pinnate wisteria are 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 cm) long and have 7 to 19 leaflets each.
Wisterias lose their leaves in the fall, making them a deciduous plant. The foliage generally turns bright yellow to bronze-tinted yellow in the autumn. The botanical name for this evergreen wisteria plant is Millettia reticulata. A genuine wisteria plant, on the other hand, has attractive fragrant blooming perennial vine.
Wisteria Tree
When properly trained, a white wisteria tree is a gorgeous little blooming tree with drooping branches and cascading flowers. Wisteria trees are up to 10 feet (3 meters) tall and broad, growing between 6 and 10 feet (1.8 meters). Wisteria trees are suitable for USDA zones 4 through 9 and may be cultivated easily.
Another way to enjoy the scented purple or lavender blooms in your garden is to grow small wisteria trees in containers. Mature wisteria plants can be containerized to control their size.
Bonsai trees of wisteria are also popular. Wisteria bonsai trees are little versions of the full tree that offer a stunning display. A magnificent wisteria bonsai may create dangling, tiny conical clusters of purple blooms with proper trimming.
Wisteria bonsai trees are a popular subject.
Blue Chinese Wisteria Tree
The blue Chinese wisteria tree (Wisteria sinensis) is a stunning specimen tree with cascading dark purple-blue, fragrant blooms. In a spring garden, the fascinating deep blue blooms act as a stunning focal point. The blue wisteria tree’s astonishing aesthetic appeal is further enhanced by the fact that its drooping clusters emerge before the leaves.
Types of Wisteria (With Pictures)
Let’s explore the most common varieties of colorful wisteria vines and trees in further depth. You can choose from among wisteria plants to find the most beautiful flowering vine for your garden landscape.
Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)
Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) is a fragrant perennial climbing plant with fragrant spring and summer blooms. Wisteria flowers cascade with violet, blue-purple, white, or pink blooms that flow down from the branches. While in full bloom, the fragrant colorful Chinese wisteria blossoms grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) long and practically cover the silver-gray stems. In full sun, the Chinese wisteria grows to be around 10 to 25 feet (3 to 7.5 meters) tall.
Early in the season, fragrant purple, white, or pink blooms bloom before the leaves. Until early summer, the blossom lasts for a few weeks. When compared to other wisteria species, Chinese wisteria blooms have the longest lifespan.
Copper or bronze leaflets emerge on the leaves of Chinese wisteria. On each pinnately compound leaf, the elongated ovate leaves have between 7 and 13 leaflets. Smooth borders exist on the pointed leaves. In the fall, the green summer foliage takes on a delicate bronze color.
Velvety bean-like seed pods dangle from the woody stems once the flowers cease to bloom. Plant Chinese wisteria in full sun to get the best flower production. Wisteria thrives on fertile soil with enough moisture and moderate fertility. The hardy perennial vine, on the other hand, can handle a few dry spells.
The Wisteria sinensis vine, like all wisteria vines, has waterfalls of pendulous flowers adorning arbors, walls, pergolas, and fences. You may also choose to grow a beautiful specimen lawn tree of Chinese wisteria. The growth pattern of Chinese and Japanese wisteria vines may be used to differentiate between them. In an anticlockwise direction, the twisted Chinese wisteria branches grow, while in a clockwise direction, the twisting Japanese wisteria branches.
Japanese Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda)
The Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) is a deciduous vine with gorgeous flowers that produces masses of long, dangling clusters of purple, white, or pink blooms. Pea-like blooms produce long conical clusters that can grow up to 18 inches (45 cm) tall. While contributing a lot of pastel hues, Japanese wisteria blooms perfume gardens with sweet scents.
Wisteria blossoms range from 10 to 30 feet (3 to 9 meters) tall in Japan. If you want a lot of blooms, growing this wisteria type in full sun and keeping the soil reasonably damp is recommended. USDA zones 4 – 9 are ideal for Japanese wisteria cultivars. Wisteria floribunda has pinnately complex leaves that range from 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 cm) in length, just like other wisterias. On the long stalks, between 15 and 19 leaflets are arranged alternately. Green emerging leaves acquire a reddish tint and become brilliant yellow in the autumn.
Flower clusters of various colors may be seen on Japanese wisteria cultivars. Rose-pink, white, red-violet, or white and purple flowers may be found on some Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) varieties. Double blooms with an extremely sweet fragrance make up some of the showier wisteria panicles (clusters).
Potted wisteria plants are suitable for tiny or confined gardens, and Japanese wisteria trees are one kind. From late spring through early summer, the coiling, arching vines change colors from purple to pink. Because of the gnarled silvery-gray vines that turn in a clockwise direction, you can identify Japanese wisteria vines.
American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens)
A woody vine with huge aromatic clusters of showy purple or white blooms, the American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) is native to North America. When the leaves emerge in April or May, the drooping conical flowering clusters are up to 6 inches (15 cm) long. USDA zones 5 through 9 are ideal for American wisteria vines. In full sun or partial shade, the towering climbing stems may reach a height of 15 to 40 feet (4.5 to 12 meters). This plant produces the most blooms in moist ground and full sun, despite being drought tolerant.
Pinnately compound leaves with 9 to 15 leaflets cover the American wisteria leaves. On stems, the glossy, dark green lanceolate leaves are arranged alternately. Every spring after blooming, you must cut mature American wisteria vines to encourage fast development.
The Wisteria frutescens is less aggressive than the Chinese wisteria. Arbors, pergolas, up house walls, and trellises are all quickly covered with thin climbing stems. The seed pods of native American wisteria vines are smooth, not fuzzy, bean-like pods; Asian wisterias have fuzzy seed pods.
Amethyst Falls American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens ‘Amethyst Falls’)
One of the most popular ornamental wisteria plants is the American wisteria cultivar ‘Amethyst Falls. The Amethyst Falls variety is less aggressive than Asian kinds, with lavender-purple, lightly aromatic pea-like blooms that cascade down. USDA zones 5 – 9, growing in full sun and well-drained soil, the drooping racemes grow between 4″ and 6″ (10 – 15 cm) long.
This American wisteria variety scales 8 to 25 feet (2.4 to 7.6 meters) tall and 15 to 15 feet (4.5 to 4.5 meters) broad as a fast-growing climber.
Little green pinnate leaves with lanceolate leaflets arranged alternately on lengthy stems adorn the ‘Amethyst Falls’ wisteria. The purple flower clusters turn coppery-brown seed pods after the American wisteria ‘Amethyst Falls’ has finished blooming. These pods are at least 3 inches (7.5 cm) long and have a lustrous finish. When the pods burst, release the bean-like seeds, you may hear popping sounds in the autumn.
Kentucky Wisteria (Wisteria macrostachya)
A deciduous, twining vine with early-summer scented purple or white flower clusters, the Kentucky wisteria (Wisteria macrostachya) is native to the state. Fragrant pea-like blooms make up the conical racemes, which grow between 8 and 12 inches (20 and 30 cm) long. Before blooms appear, you’ll have to wait for the hardy plant to establish itself.
One of the hardiest wisterias is the Kentucky Wisteria. In USDA zones 4 through 9, the non-invasive climber is hardy. This rapidly expanding climber twists and turns around supports. When growing in full sun, the purple or white vines bloom best. The vine grows to be between 20 and 30 feet (6 and 9 meters) tall.
Formerly, American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens ‘macrostachya’) was classified as a cultivar of Kentucky wisteria. The Kentucky wisteria, on the other hand, is currently considered a distinct species from the American wisteria due to its longer blooms and tolerance to freezing temperatures.
In early summer, purple or white panicles (flower clusters) emerge from the Kentucky wisteria. All wisteria vines have pinnately complex leaves with up to ten leaflets, as evidenced by the leaves on this wisteria species. Long twisted olive-green seed pods develop at the end of summer after blooming.
Blue Moon Wisteria Vine (Wisteria macrostachya ‘Blue Moon’)
The Kentucky wisteria (Wisteria macrostachya) cultivar ‘Blue Moon’ has fragrant bluish-purple flowers. This wisteria variety is distinguished by clusters of lavender-purple or blue blossoms. The fragrant blooms bloom in June and produce massive hanging conical clusters that may reach 12 inches (30 cm) long.
Wisteria, also known as the blue moon wisteria, is a woody vining plant that may be trained to grow as a specimen tree or climb up walls. With a spread of up to 8 feet (2.4 meters), the lovely purple vine grows between 15 and 25 feet (4.5 and 7.6 meters) tall.
The pinnately compound leaves on the Blue Moon wisteria in Kentucky are deep green. There are roughly nine oval to lanceolate leaves per leaf. When the leaves fall to reveal light gray twining, twisted vines growing in a counterclockwise direction, the wisterias’ color changes to golden yellow.
The wisteria vine’s growth ability is its prolific blooming. If the vines are growing in full sun, they may bloom three times a season. Because of its long-blooming period, this is a popular option for adding color to summer gardens. The wisteria cultivar’s cold hardiness is also a significant feature. USDA zones 3 through 9 are suitable for growing the hardy perennial vine, which is hardy to -40°F (-40°C). This purple blooming vine thrives in full sun and moist soil.