Tips for selecting Wisteria

In the German lowlands up to 200 metres above sea level, ALL wisteria can be used, but in some areas, such as eastern Germany, flower damage occurs from time to time. The same applies to the high altitudes in southern Germany, but up to an altitude of approx. 700 metres. In all other areas of Germany above 200 metres above sea level, it is best to plant only those "American" Wisteria that are declared as particularly frost-resistant in our descriptions (the hardiest is 'Blue Moon'). Why is that? Cold mountain locations are not for wisteria. Frost above minus 20 degrees is particularly damaging for most varieties, as shoots can then freeze. Another problem is frost during the "ice saints", i.e. at the beginning of May. It can damage the flowering of "Asian" Wisteria.

If the situation is right: are you prepared to devote a certain amount of time to a Wisteria? It's all about strict training and pruning, at least twice a year... If you say "Yes!", you can choose from the "Asian" wisterias. Otherwise, there are the "American" ones, which require less effort.

If you want to green a large area, e.g. up to 10 m high, around windows or a 10 m wide strip of wall, then the fast-growing ("Asian") types are particularly suitable. However, please remember the care instructions above. In smaller areas, e.g. on a wall of 3 m x 3 m or for a "spindle" 1 m wide and 3 m high, both Wisteria groups are suitable.

If you want to green a large area, e.g. up to 10 m high, around windows or a 10 m wide strip of wall, then the fast-growing ("Asian") types are particularly suitable. However, please remember the care instructions above. In smaller areas, e.g. on a wall of 3 m x 3 m or for a "spindle" 1 m wide and 3 m high, both Wisteria groups are suitable.

Wisteria can also grow in a tub! However, this should hold at least 20 - 30 litres. Sometimes a trellis is placed directly into the tub, in which case the tub should not have any narrowing at the bottom. The "Umbra tub", "Kubus graphite" and "Graphite tub" series from our range are suitable in this case. Bamboo sticks or modular trellises made of stainless steel can be inserted here.

This is of course a matter of taste. Our photos of varieties should be as close to reality as possible and are therefore not processed in terms of colour. There are darker and lighter Wisteria types, as well as purple, blaulia, pink or white ones. Wisteria are often very brilliant and dark in colour when they are still half-budded. The colours fade later. The upper buds of a bunch bloom first and then fade, those in the lower third remain coloured for longer. Most varieties flower against a green background because the foliage unfolds at the same time as the flowers. One exception is 'Prolific'.

What effect do I want to achieve? How narrow is the available horizontal wall strip? For narrow strips, varieties with long flower clusters may not be suitable, or they may fit particularly well there. This should be taken into consideration when selecting a wisteria variety.

Flower cluster after flower cluster: As dense and lush as in the photos on the right, this is only possible with the normal, "Asian" blue vines. They can be used to create strips and areas where everything is colourful at flowering time, provided they are pruned carefully. The "American" wisterias never flower in this density.

Varieties of Wisteria sinensis (from Asia) often flower as early as mid-April, usually before the foliage emerges. Varieties of Wisteria floribunda (from Asia) flower a little later and already have some foliage at this time. This means that the flowers appear together with shades of green. All "American" wisterias, on the other hand, do not flower until mid-May, surrounded by green foliage. Lilac bushes in the neighbourhood - see photo on the right - sometimes also flower at this time and may steal the show from a Wisteria of the same colour! In this respect, the flowering time definitely plays a role in the choice of variety.

During the main bloom, all types give everything they have, and this looks very different. After a break of 4 - 6 weeks, some will have a weaker but still remarkable "re-flowering". This can last until late summer. Especially when wisteria is growing on facades, this can be a criterion for deciding on a variety. (With the "American" varieties, the main bloom is actually only as sparse as the post-flowering of a good "Asian" variety...)

How do you want your Wisteria to "go"? Some show fireworks by turning their foliage a glorious yellow. This can also be important when choosing a variety! 'Prolific', on the other hand, is an authist, does not realise that its performance is over and does not shed its foliage. This only happens - without colouring - after the start of the frost period.

Here, the varieties cannot be defined in the same way as with other plants. Many wisterias have a "weak to medium" scent, 'Prolific' has almost no scent, but sometimes an extremely strong scent. Okayama', however, always has a strong scent.

Here, the varieties cannot be defined in the same way as with other plants. Many wisterias have a "weak to medium" scent, 'Prolific' has almost no scent, but sometimes an extremely strong scent. Okayama', however, always has a strong scent.

Caution: The seeds of all wisteria are poisonous! Despite this, the flowers are said to be edible (Peter Valder, 1995). This information has been handed down for Chinese Wisteria such as 'Prolific', which are eaten in China as "doughnuts" when baked with dough. The American wisteria flowers are prepared in the same way and are also recommended for fresh salads. No information is available for Japanese wisteria, i.e. Wisteria floribunda and Wisteria brachybotrys. Please understand that FassadenGrün accepts no liability for this information!