Introducing...
Wisteria
A mature wisteria in full flower is an impressive sight. You can use these vigorous climbers to clothe your house or garden walls or, less formally, to ascend mature trees from whose branches the flowers will cascade down. Young plants can be reluctant to flower, but have patience and you will be rewarded.
Looks
Long clusters of fragrant flowers (racemes) hang from the twining branches in late spring with occasional summer flowers. Flower colours include white, lilac-blue, pink and a dramatic dark purple. The branches are covered with a mass of mid-green leaves which turn yellow in the autumn before they fall. A mature wisteria can reach around 10m (33ft) in trees or spread up to 20m (66ft) against a wall.
Likes
Wisterias will grow in any well-drained soil, in full sun. They will grow happily in light shade, but will produce fewer flowers.
Dislikes
Wisterias dislike very heavy soils that are permanently waterlogged and will not flower in deep shade.
Did you know?
Wisterias are extremely vigorous climbers and can be long-lived. To keep them in bounds and encourage flowering, shorten new growth in late summer and again in early spring.
Growing guide
How to grow wisteria
All the information you’ll need to grow & care for wisteria in your garden.
Wisteria we recommend
Wisteria floribunda 'Alba'
white Japanese wisteria
- 4–8 metres
- 2.5–4 metres
Wisteria sinensis 'Prolific'
Chinese wisteria 'Prolific'
- 8–12 metres
- Wider than 8 metres
Wisteria sinensis 'Amethyst'
Chinese wisteria 'Amethyst'
- Higher than 12 metres
- Wider than 8 metres
Wisteria floribunda 'Alba'
white Japanese wisteria
- 4–8 metres
- 2.5–4 metres
Wisteria sinensis 'Prolific'
Chinese wisteria 'Prolific'
- 8–12 metres
- Wider than 8 metres
Wisteria sinensis 'Amethyst'
Chinese wisteria 'Amethyst'
- Higher than 12 metres
- Wider than 8 metres
Useful advice
Pergolas
Trees and shrubs: planting
Wisteria: pruning
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.