Wisteria floribunda /wɪsˈtɛriə/
Common name: Japanese wisteria
Wisteria floribunda is a vigorous deciduous woody vine in the pea family (Fabaceae), native to Japan. It twines clockwise around supports and produces very long, fragrant racemes of violet, pink, or white flowers in late spring, often 30–80 cm long, opening progressively from the base. It is extensively cultivated in gardens worldwide and is a classic subject of Japanese wisteria tunnels and trellises.
Care summary
Sun
Full sun to light shade; best blooms in sun
Water
Regular water while young; moderately drought-tolerant
Soil
Deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil
Hardiness
Zones 4–9
Mature height
About 900 cm (30 ft) or more with support
Pet safe
No — all parts, especially seeds, are toxic
Difficulty
Moderate
Propagation
Best propagated by layering or softwood cuttings, since seed-grown plants can take a decade or more to flower. Peg a low flexible stem into the soil in spring and sever it once rooted, or take softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat and rooting hormone.
Fun facts
- Its stems twine clockwise, the opposite of Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis).
- The racemes can exceed 1 metre in some cultivars such as 'Macrobotrys'.
- Flowers open sequentially from the base of the raceme to the tip.
- Japan's Kawachi Fuji Gardens and Ashikaga Flower Park are famous for their wisteria displays.