Experience the magic of Wisteria

Wisteria sinensis (Chinese wisteria) is a visual delight and that’s the reason it is considered as the most elegant vine on earth. Apart from the beauty of the blooms, their delicate fragrance intoxicants viewers. Wisteria is a less vigorous, hardy, deciduous woody climber that requires fertile, rich and well drained moist soil. However, it does not tolerate water logging.

The flowers bloom profusely in March and open in front of its new foliage with long raceme pendant drooping spectacular clusters of cascading of scented pea-like form in mauve to lilac colours. The blooms are followed by bean-like seed pods.

Wisteria can be grown from seed and cuttings. The seeds are soaked for a day and placed half an inch deep in the soil. A seedling takes longer time to bloom and there is uncertainty of the flower type and form. The cuttings are taken one inch on either side of its lateral shoot and fixed one inch deep in the potting mixture. A beginner should prefer an established plant which will flower in the second or third year.

Wisteria is not a heavy feeder. An annual application of farm yard manure in winters is sufficient. A dose of bone meal and phosphorus helps in better flowering. Once a week is deep irrigation keeps it in good form. 

WHERE TO PLANT

Plant prefers sunny a spot, it may survive at a location with partial sunlight but will never show its full bloom. Wisteria gives its best flowering beauty when it trails on a sturdy support system of a Pergola or archway.

WHEN TO PLANT

February-March and August-September are the best periods for new plantation. Dig a pit 2’x2’ and mix well decomposed farm yard manure along with DAP. This vine often spreads 25-35 ft and needs timely pruning after the bloom is over else it will invade the surrounding structures.

MAINTENANCE

Wisteria blooms on new wood and good pruning is the secret of a luxurious bloom. In the month of Jan-Feb an expert pruning hand is required for better results. Pruning is done to remove shoot congestion, and those shoots which are too thin and leggy. Using a sharp pruning shear cut the shoot slightly above 2-4 flowering buds. The retained thicker shoots must be treated with a fungicide paste. The bloom appears within 5-6 weeks after pruning.