When to Plant Wisteria Plants
Wisteria (Wisteria spp.) is a woody, twining vine with clusters of fragrant purple flowers. It is hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone 4. Two species are commonly used by gardeners: the Japanese wisteria (W. floribunda) and the Chinese wisteria (W. sinensis). Growers must train wisteria to climb trellises or other supporting structures, or it quickly grows out of control. Continuous pruning keeps it maintained into a neat, attractive shape. The date of the last frost in your area determines when to plant wisteria. Does this Spark an idea?
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About Wisteria
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Wisteria likes full sun and soil rich in organic matter. It prefers moist soil in a well-draining location and does not require additional fertilizing, unless indicated by small leaf growth or an unhealthy appearance. It grows best in a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Wisteria is a hardy and vigorous vine that grows up to 10 feet in a single season. Without pruning, it can easily overwhelm trees and other foliage in their vicinity. Keep the plant's scale in mind when choosing a site. Wisteria plants are resistant to many garden pests.
Bloom Times
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Chinese wisteria blooms in the early spring before the foliage expands with a showy display all at once. The fragrant, white or violet-blue flowers can grow to 1 foot long. The Japanese variety has a more extended bloom period. Flowers clusters grow to 18 inches long. Depending on variety, flowers bloom in white, pink, red-violet or purple. Wisteria will not properly bloom without sufficient sunlight. Juvenile plants take several years before producing blooms.
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Planting
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Spring or fall is the best time for planting wisteria. Dig a hole for the root ball that is as deep as the ball and twice as wide. Add peat moss or rotted manure to improve soil aeration. Replace the soil and tamp gently to remove air pockets. Keep the soil evenly moist until the plant is established. Support and train the plant on a trellis or wire cage as soon as it begins growing shoots.
Care
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Wisteria needs little additional water or fertilizer but benefits from soil amendments like compost or manure. Regular pruning in necessary throughout the plant's life. Training consists of pruning to a main, central leader encouraged to spread along the trellis and cutting off side shoots that aren't needed for the plant's structure. Prune in summer after blooming or in winter when the vine is dormant.
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References
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- Photo Credit wisteria creeper violet flowers image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
