Wisteria sinensis 'PROLIFIC' Chinese wisteria

Chinese wisteria is undoubtedly the queen of flowering climbers. Prolific is an abundantly flowering variety producing slightly longer flower racemes from younger age. They are 25-40 cm long, composed of sweetly scented, violet flowers, and appear on bare wood from the first warm days of April for 4-5 weeks. They are followed by bean-like seedpods which are poisonous.

Rather exotic looking pinnate leaves are mid green and densely cover the plant and its support. Older and well-established plants of Chinese wisteria usually re-blooms from early summer, this time on the background of fully leaved plant.

Wisteria is a rampant grower. It needs a life-time support which can carry its weight. It is necessary even for tree forms because the wood remains very flexible for many years. Wisteria flowers mainly on short spurs so cut back vigorous shoots and side branches to 2-3 buds to encourage formation of flowering spurs.

It needs moist, acidic soil. Do not fertilize – overfertilized plants produce more leaves rather than flowers. Young plants require a sheltered place, mature plants (and those with a stem) are fully hardy to about -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 26-02-2020