Wisteria

Wisteria is a beautiful vining perennial that can grow to 25-30 feet long. This vine is known for it’s beautiful long clusters of flowers. The flower color on wisteria is dependent on the variety but range in color from white to pink to deep reddish to bluish-violet. Once the flowers have disappeared bean-like pods appear and remain through the winter. One complaint about wisteria is often that the vines simply are not blooming. Some wisteria vines will need 7 to 15 years before they will produce their first flowers and excessive nitrogen fertilizer may stimulate leaf and stem growth but inhibit flower formation. There are some practices that can help induce flowering including an application of superphosphate fertilizer in the spring, severe pruning of new growth in late spring or early summer and finally root pruning (cutting the roots with a spade a few feet from the trunk) in the fall. It’s best to purchase grafted plants from the nursery to speed up the blooming process.

Wisteria are a perfect option to train along a fence or on stoutly constructed arbors or pergolas. These vines are also an excellent option over patios or open structured roofs. Wisteria will need regular pruning to keep the vine in check throughout the growing season so this is not a low maintenance plant. This is also not a plant to use climbing up a tree or near another desirable shrub as they will choke them out. There are two main types of wisteria, the Japanese wisteria or the Chinese wisteria. The later is more commonly grown in gardens as all the blooms open at the same time providing a better flower display than Japanese wisteria.

Have questions? Contact our office where our Horticulture Extension Agent will assist you with questions.

Phone: (316) 321-9660

Email: callae@ksu.edu