Wisteria

There are several interesting species of Wisteria. Perhaps the two most common being Chinese (Wisteria sinensis) and Japanese Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda).
Both are very cold hardy and exceptionally fast growing vines with lovely long clusters of sweet-pea like blooms. Wisteria can grow in poor soil but, like most plants, it prefers a rich well drained soil.
The Wisteria has a strong and twisting truck and branches. It needs a strong support on which to grow. It can lay waste to a weak trellis. Wisteria roots will be strong and deeply penetrating. Give it the room it demands and you will be thrilled with an elegant show of color each spring. Don’t’ be afraid to prune it back hard in winter as it responds with ample bloom that appears on new wood.
Wisteria sinensis ‘Cooke’s Special’often responds with a second bloom in summer after a hard pruning. 
Interestingly enough, Chinese Wisteria will twist and grow in a clockwise direction as opposed to its cousin, Japanese Wisteria, which will twist counter clockwise.
Wisteria grown from seed will take 10-15 years to mature enough to bloom. Buy grafted plants to assure early bloom.
In addition to a viable and mature grafted plant; several factors will help to ensure proper blooming of your Wisteria. Avoid fertilizing with high Nitrogen before the bloom in spring. Most Wisterias will grow fast enough that a nitrogen boost isn’t necessary. Added bloom booster type fertilizer high in phosphate applied mid-summer. Add plenty of sunshine and your Wisteria will be the envy of the neighborhood.
Be sure to ask us about our many varieties in both vines and tree forms.
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