Wisteria spp. & cvs.  Wisteria

Fabaceae

Following information is for Wisteria floribunda (Japanese Wisteria). The other common species is Wisteria chinensis (Chinese), which has shorter flower racemes, and blooms all at one time, not top down on receme as W. floribunda does. Fast growing deciduous vine that can spread up to 100'. Needs very sturdy support structure. Leaves are entire and elliptic, 12 to 16" long, medium green. Flowers: Violet or yellow racemes, blooms in April and May and intermittently in June through August. Fruit: Legume, 6", green to brown in summer. Prefers full sun, high to moderate water. Tolerates drought, heat and poor soil. Propagation: Cuttings, budding, grafting, seeds. Maintenance and uses: When dormant, remove suckers, thin side shoots from main or structural branches and reduce to 2 or 3 buds. Espalier, ground cover, oriental effect, screen, specimen, patio tree, trellis. Photos taken at Filoli Estate.