Wisteria a Fine Vine–and Pretty Good Shrub

Planting and Growing Wisteria: Tips for Success

Few plants add elegance and romance to the landscape like wisteria, with its soft foliage and large, drooping clusters of perfumed flowers. Although wisteria is a vigorous deciduous vine, it can also be trained as a tree or shrub.

Now is a good time to plant wisteria. Although most wisteria is currently dormant, plants should start budding in the next few weeks and will bloom in April or May. Some established vines even bloom into the summer months, says Jim Kitano, manager of Kitano Garden Center in La Palma.

There are about 10 species of wisteria, but the type most commonly found is Wisteria sinensis, native to China.

Popular Wisteria Varieties

  • ‘Alba’: White flower clusters reaching up to 2 feet.
  • ‘Caroline’: Known for its dark purple-blue flowers.
  • ‘Cooke’s Special’: Deep purple blooms with a long blooming period from spring through summer.

Tips for Growing Wisteria

  • Sunlight: Choose a spot with at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
  • Space for Growth: When growing as a vine, give the plant ample space. Wisteria can grow up to 120 feet. Use a sturdy structure like an arbor, patio roof, or fence.
  • Training as a Tree or Shrub:
    • Buy a pre-trained plant or train one yourself.
    • Remove all but one main stem and stake it securely.
    • Pinch the top when it reaches the desired height to encourage branching.
    • Rub off buds below the branching point.
  • Good Drainage: Test for drainage by filling a 2-foot-deep hole with water. If it drains within 24 hours, it’s suitable.
  • Soil Preparation: In clay soil, mix in one-third planter’s mix and dig down at least 2.5 feet.
  • Planting Depth: Ensure the graft union is 1–2 inches above the soil surface.
  • Watering:
    • Water a couple of times per week during dry spells.
    • Once established (after 3 years), water once a week in warm weather.
  • Fertilizing: Fertilize three times a year:
    • Spring/Summer: Use high-nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., 16-16-16).
    • Fall: Use phosphorus and potassium-rich fertilizer (e.g., 5-20-10) to boost root strength and flowering.
  • Growing in Containers:
    • Use a pot with at least 20-gallon capacity.
    • Fill with high-quality potting soil.
    • Water every 3–5 days depending on weather conditions.
    • Fertilize as you would for in-ground plants.
  • Pruning: After the first year of growth, prune when flowering ends in late spring or early summer to control size and shape.

Additional Resources

For more information, consult “Wisterias: A Comprehensive Guide”, available for $33 through Wayside Gardens. Contact them at (800) 845-1124.

Julie Bawden-Davis

Julie Bawden-Davis is a bestselling journalist, novelist, blogger, and YouTuber. A prolific author, Julie writes in several genres. She enjoys creating page-turning suspense served up with a dose of romance, garden books that turn any brown thumb green, and spiritual books meant to enlighten and inspire. Widely published, Julie has written 45 books and more than 4,000 articles for a wide variety of national and international publications. She lives in Southern California, where she enjoys sunny, blue skies most days and year-round gardening. Julie gains inspiration from being surrounded by plants when she writes.