Wisteria floribunda (Japanese Wisteria)


Michael's Opinion

A brilliant vine, well worth the work, great as an embellishment in a residential backyard or as a specimen in a garden.

Botanical Information

FamilyFabaceae
GenusWisteria
Speciesfloribunda
CategoryWoody
TypeVine
References
OriginJapan, introduced to America in 1830 by settlers.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone5 - 9
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone4 - 9
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-29
Temperature (°F)-20
Height7.5-15 m
Spread7.5-15 m
GrowthFast
Flowering PeriodMay

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionVigorous, beautifully flowering vine with clockwise twining stems. Great for growing on large structures or trained into a standard form.
ID CharacteristicQuite similar to W. sinensis. Leafs out two weeks before W. sinensis and may be injured by late spring frosts. W. floribunda stems twine clockwise while W. sinensis twine counterclockwise.
ShapeStout vine, climbs by twining stems clockwise.
LandscapeOutstanding flowering vine; excellent for walls and pergolas.
PropagationSeeds germinate without treatment, collect seed in autumn and sow directly; soak for 24 hours if dry. June/July cuttings rooted without treatment.
CultivationRequire considerable care; can be found strangling structures/other plants. Needs pruning (and root pruning) in late winter or after flowering. Needs ample support with metal pipe or stout timber.
PestsSusceptible to many; leaf spots, stem canker, root rot, Japanese mealybug, fall webworm, and crown gall to name a few.
Notable SpecimensThe Gardens of Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Canada. The A. M. (Mac) Cuddy Gardens, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada.
HabitatAnywhere with deep, moist, well-drained loam. A vigorous grower where naturally occurring (south).
Bark/Stem DescriptionGreyish colour on old trunks, smooth and sometimes with irregular rounded, lengthwise ridges.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description"Narrowly oblong, come to a point. Three outer scales, one surrounding the entire bud. Reddish brown and pubescent.
Leaf DescriptionAlternate, pinnately-compound, 25-38 cm long. Rounded at base and come to a point. Leaves are bright green and typically late to leaf out.
Flower DescriptionLong, pendulous clusters of violet or violet-blue, fragrant flowers in late spring. Perfect, open from base to apex. Individual flower 13-19mm long.
Fruit DescriptionLong, brown, velutinus pod persisting from October into winter. 10-15 cm long.
Colour DescriptionLeaves occasionally turn butter yellow in autumn, new growth often bronze or purplish.
Texture DescriptionMedium in leaf, somewhat course in winter. Bark medium.

Photographs