Chinese wisteria

Climber

Wisteria sinensis

Chinese wisteria

A long-lived twining climber with cascades of scented lilac flowers in spring, for strong walls and pergolas.

  • Full sun, Partial shade
  • 8–12 m (26–39 ft)
  • 6–1 m (20–33 ft)
  • H6 · Zone 6
  • April–May
  • Deciduous

Overview

Chinese wisteria is a vigorous, long-lived deciduous climber that twines anticlockwise and can reach over 12 m (40 ft). In spring, before or as the leaves open, it carries hanging trails of fragrant lilac-blue pea flowers 20–30 cm (8–12 in) long, followed by velvety pods.

It needs a strong, permanent support, full sun or light shade for good flowering, and moist, well-drained soil. Prune twice a year: cut the long whippy shoots back to five or six leaves in summer, then shorten them again to two or three buds in winter. Grafted plants flower within a few years; seedlings can take many.

Hardy to about −20°C (−4°F), USDA zones 5–8, though late frosts can spoil the flowers. It thrives in warm summers. It is invasive in the south-eastern United States, where it smothers trees; there, the native American wisteria is a better choice. All parts, especially the seeds and pods, are poisonous.

At a Glance

Sun Full sun, Partial shade
Height 8–12 m (26–39 ft)
Spread 6–1 m (20–33 ft)
Hardiness H6 · Zone 6
Flowers April–May
Soil Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture Moist well drained
Habit Spreading
Water Moderate
Maintenance Demanding

Growing Conditions

Min. Temperature -20°C (-4°F)
pH Range 6–7.5
Fertility Fertile
Drainage Moderate

Aspect Suitability

  • South-facing
  • West-facing

Soil Tolerance

  • Clay
  • Chalk
  • Sandy
  • Loam
  • Acid
  • Neutral pH
  • Alkaline

Foliage

Persistence Deciduous
Colour Green
Leaf shape / texture pinnate

Foliage interest: May–October

Seasonal Timeline

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowering
Foliage
Propagate
  • Flowering Apr May
  • Foliage May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
  • Propagate Apr May Jun Dec

How to propagate

Ways to grow more Chinese wisteria:

Layering Apr–Jun Easy

You'll need: A pot of compost, wire peg

  1. Bend a flexible young shoot down to a pot of compost.
  2. Wound the underside at a leaf joint.
  3. Peg it into the compost and keep moist.
  4. Sever once rooted, usually the next spring.
How long
15 minutes
It's worked when
high
Then
Grow on for a year before planting.
Softwood cuttings May–Jun Tricky

You'll need: Knife, rooting hormone, propagator

  1. Take 10 cm (4 in) soft shoot tips.
  2. Dip in rooting hormone.
  3. Insert in cuttings compost under cover.
  4. Keep warm and humid.
How long
20 minutes
It's worked when
low
Then
Pot on carefully; roots are brittle.

Layering is the easiest home method. Plants from seed can take 10–20 years to flower and vary.

Maintenance Calendar

  • Jan Shorten the summer-pruned shoots to two or three buds
  • Mar Feed with a high-potash fertiliser to encourage flowers
  • Apr Cover young flower trails with fleece if a hard frost is forecast
  • Jul Cut long whippy shoots back to five or six leaves
  • Aug Water young plants in dry spells
  • Sep Remove seed pods before they ripen

Garden Design

Works well in: Cottage, Japanese / Zen

Train on strong wires along a sunny wall, or over a sturdy pergola where the flowers can hang.

Companion planting: Climbing roses, Clematis, Pergola planting

Wildlife Value

  • Bees
  • Shelter
  • Nesting cover for birds

Safety

  • Toxic to humans
  • Toxic to dogs
  • Toxic to cats
  • Toxic to horses

All parts are harmful if eaten, especially the seeds and pods, to people, dogs, cats and horses. Listed as invasive in North Carolina and other south-eastern US states; prune to control spread and remove pods before seed falls.