The Chinese Wisteria
With both blue and white flowering varieties, Wisteria sinensis or Chinese Wisteria is a vigorous climbing plant that produces masses of flowers in spring.
Reaching from 5m to 7m in height it is traditionally trained to grow on Pergolas or climbing frames.
In Australia you will often see it growing attached to a verandah or even trained to grow along a fence.
The flowers appear in early to mid spring hanging in long clusters, blue to mauve or white. Certainly the flowers are the main attraction, however the green foliage is attractive and can provide shade through the summer months. In autumn the foliage turns to a buttery yellow.
Wisteria sinensis can also be trained as a standard, it can look stunning with the long new growth that carries the flowers hanging down.
Wisteria sinensis – Varieties
Wisteria sinensis ‘Blue Pacific’
Heavy flowering with bright purple to blue flowers that hang in racemes to 35cm.
Wisteria sinensis ‘Jako’
A white flowering form, fragrant and a standout in the garden.
Care
This is a versatile and tough plant once established. It will grow in full sun to part shade, however flowering will be more prolific in full sun.
Planting.
- Prepare the soil well before planting, dig in good amounts of well rotted compost and cow manure and ensure that drainage is good.
- Put a trellis, wires or climbing frame in place that is sturdy enough to hold the plant.
- Water in well after planting with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
- Mulch around the plant to maintain a cool moist root run.
Remember that new plants can take 3- 4 years to flower, so be patient.
Pruning
Pruning is carried out in winter, remove all growth that is not wanted, or is not a part of the main structure back to 3 buds from the main stem.
After flowering a second pruning should take place. Simply remove any shoots that are not wanted, and then prune others back except for those that will form part of the structure of the plant.
Summary information
- Soil – Humus rich, moist and well drained.
- Position – Full sun.
- Flowering time – Spring to early summer, with flowers appearing on bare branches.
- Flower colour – Whites and Blues.
- Foliage – Mid to deep green.
- Fertiliser – Top dress with compost and aged manure each year as Wisteria sinensis are heavy feeders.
Wisteria sinensis is available for sale online from the following nurseries.
412 James Lane, Fern Hill VIC. 3458 - Phone 0419002651
Large range of Rare plants, Climbers, Bulbs, Perennials Fruit Trees, Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. Available both Retail and by Mail Order
www.whitehousenursery.com.au
357 Monbulk Road SILVAN VIC 3795
Guaranteed "garden worthy" bulbs, plants and perennials. Visit the website to browse our large range of daffodils or request the latest free catalogue.
www.tesselaar.net.au