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Climber Wall Shrub

Wisteria floribunda 'Kokuryū'
  • RHS AGM

Japanese wisteria 'Kokuryū'

Kokuryū' is a clockwise-twining cultivar. The scented flowers are violet, produced in hanging racemes up to 50cm long, in early summer

Other common names
Japanese wisteria 'Royal Purple'
Japanese wisteria 'Russelliana'
Synonyms
Wisteria floribunda 'Royal Purple'
Wisteria floribunda 'Violacea'
see moreWisteria floribunda 'Russelliana'
Wisteria sinensis 'Black Dragon'
Wisteria × formosa 'Black Dragon'
Wisteria × formosa 'Kokuryū'
Wisteria russelliana
Wisteria × formosa Black Dragon
Wisteria floribunda Black Dragon
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Purple Green Green
Autumn Green Green
Winter Grey Silver
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Fabaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Climbing
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus

Wisteria are vigorous woody climbers with twining stems bearing pinnate leaves and long pendulous racemes of fragrant pea-like flowers in spring and early summer

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a fertile, moist, well-drained soil in sun or semi shade. May be trained into a large tree, on a wall, arch or pergola, or as a free-standing half standard. See wisteria cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by layering, softwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Climber and wall shrubs
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Prune twice a year for best results, see pruning wisteria for detailed advice

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, and scale insects including wisteria scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), phytophthora root rot, coral spot, fungal leaf spot, virus diseases, and powdery mildews

Get involved

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