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Climber Wall Shrub

Wisteria floribunda

Japanese wisteria

a vigorous deciduous climber with pinnate leaves and, in early summer, fragrant, pea-like, violet-blue, pink or white flowers in racemes to 30cm or longer

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Ultimate height

4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Climbing
Potentially harmful: All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested. Wear gloves and wash hands after 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: Correct
Plant range: Japan

How to grow

Cultivation

A large, long-lived climber so choosing the right site is important. Can be grown informally through large tree or more formally against a house wall or trained as a free-standing half standard in a container. Will grow in most soils that are moist but well-drained. See wisteria growing guide for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by layering, softwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Coastal
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning wisteria

Pests

Can get scale insects

Diseases

May be affected by a leaf spot and powdery mildews

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