Climber
Chinese wisteria
Wisteria sinensis
A very vigorous deciduous woody climber with fragrant lilac flower racemes in spring. It needs a large permanent support, regular twice-yearly pruning and enough sun for good flowering; plant material is harmful if eaten.
- Size
- 10–20 m high · 8–20 m wide
- Light
- Full sun / Partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Winter
- Very hardy
- Seasonal form
- Deciduous
- Maintenance
- High
Before planting
- Plan for a very large, long-lived climber and install a sturdy permanent support before the stems become heavy and woody.
- Keep vigorous twining growth away from gutters, windows and weak structures, and leave safe access for pruning.
- Seeds and other plant parts are harmful if eaten; keep pods and cut material away from children and pets.
Why choose it
- Long, fragrant lilac flower clusters can create a spectacular spring display on a wall, pergola or large arch.
- A trained framework can cover a large structure for decades when its vigorous growth is kept under control.
Care
- Water well while establishing and during dry periods, especially from midsummer when next year’s flower buds are forming.
- Prune twice a year: shorten new growth in summer, then shorten the same shoots again while dormant in winter.
- Train and tie the main framework deliberately instead of allowing stems to twist into unsuitable structures.
Good to know
- Flowering is best in full sun and may take several years to become reliable after planting.