Wisteria
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History
The Wisteria is a woody ornamental vine that is native to Asia and the southeastern United States. There are several different types of Wisteria that originated in different countries around the globe. Wisteria sinensis was first imported to North America in 1816 from Europe. Botanist Thomas Nuttall named the vine in honor of physician Caspar Wistar.
Characteristics
The most popular variety is Wisteria sinensis, a native plant to several provinces of China. You will hear this graceful flowering vine commonly referred to as “Chinese Wisteria” or “Common Wisteria”. Chinese Wisteria has been in cultivated use the longest and is the fastest growing of all Wisterias. It is also the most abundant, reliable bloomer. It is a deciduous plant that it looses its leaves in the winter.
Wisteria is a strong growing vine that attaches itself to upright supports by twisting its stems to climb. It can climb tree trunks, walls and trellises rapidly. The plant is easy to grow and doesn’t require a great deal of care. This vine prefers deep, evenly moist soil but once established will withstand any drought.
Wisterias can live to be very old. The oldest known specimen is over 140 years old. This is a tree form that is growing in the Ashakaga Flower Park in Japan. The world’s largest Wisteria covers an entire acre of ground in Sierra Madre, California where it was planted in 1892.
All parts of the Wisteria plant contain a natural toxin called glycoside. If eaten, will cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, and diarrhea. It is not known to be life threatening, but does produce mild to severe of discomfort.
Uses
This landscape and garden favorite is prized for the beautiful, richly perfumed spring flowers. The vibrant lavender-violet blooms can reach up to 12 inches in length. The foliage of this vine is also rather attractive. Each leaf stem bears 7-12 leaves that give it a somewhat lacy texture.
Chinese Wisteria can grow well over 25 feet tall. In areas of the country that enjoy warm winter seasons, Wisteria can become invasive. Even those who live in mild winter climates can keep their vines from getting out of control. With properly time pruning Wisteria can be managed and produce more blooms. Collect all fallen seedpods to stop unwanted spreading. Pull any seedlings while still young to ensure you have gotten the full root. In mid-summer, cut back lateral stems about 6" long. Root pruning is done in late fall and stems are cut back to 2 buds in midwinter.
Immature Wisteria can take up to 20 years to flower. The best way to obtain a plant for your yard is from a reputable nursery. When grown from seed, it will take decades to produce blooms.
Purple Wisteria will live in a shaded spot but will not bloom unless it gets full or part sun. The more hours of sun it receives, the more abundant will be the flowering. While it is well known for flowering in the spring, Wisteria can rebloom in early fall if weather conditions are just right.
Chinese Wisteria is a hardy, deciduous vine in growing zones 5-9 (-20F). In the northern reaches of its hardiness zones, late spring freezes can destroy the early forming flower buds inside the stems. If strategically placed, it is possible for a Wisteria to bloom without fail in colder climates.
Home Use
Wisteria is best displayed as an ornamental specimen plant when the flowers weep from overhead. It will grow in a mound if planted where there is no support, but this is not the proper way to enjoy its beauty. The plant can be grown with both multiple and a single trunk. Wisteria can be trained into a tree form and is an excellent specimen for the art of bonsai.
To get the full effect of the beauty of Wisteria Tree, it should be planted to scramble up a privacy wall, brick structure, arbor or pergola. Due to the strength of the vine, it should never be planted to climb a weak or inadequate trellis. The sheer weight and exuberance of the plant will, over time, cause a flimsy support to collapse or be crushed.
To grow a White Wisteria into a tree form is best done with metal pole. One must keep on top of training it into an upright position. Wisteria can also be grown as an espalier plant along a wall or heavy wire fence. Espalier is an artful way of plant training and pruning that could offer an excellent pastime project for homeowners.