Although there are many varieties, wisteria can be identified by several common characteristics. This will encourage the top to produce more lateral growth. Kentucky wisteria bears mildly fragrant bluish-purple flowers after growing only two to three years, making it the quickest wisteria to bloom. This native wisteria species will enthrall you with up to three successive bloom times each growing season! I’m thinking of planting a wisteria (blue moon) in an arbor. Blooms at an early age. How to Prune Wisteria. Moreover, both species tend to rebloom once or twice during the summer. Blooms are usually violet colored, but can be white, purple, pink, or blue also. On the cover of this book about a Chinese boy who is gifted with a talent for gardening, wisteria is showcased. This puts their late-to-sprout flower buds out of range of late frosts in most years. It is better to buy a variety of a known cultivar. I didn’t know anything about the plant, but I knew I wanted one in my garden someday. This plant is considered slightly more hardy than the species and may perform well in zone 4. I have a Chinese Blue Tree form that I got from a very good nursery 3 yrs. It is the “beauty and the beast” of gardening, however. As a result, its flower buds often begin to form too early in the season and can be killed by a late frost. Wisterias make beautiful bonsais. When: Late spring. Less commonly (for home gardeners), this plant is grown through grafting (attaching part of a new cutting to another plant until the two fuse together), or from layering. To get the vine to grow into a little tree, you will need to carefully prune the bottom 2/3 of the main branch. Wisteria floribunda 'Violacea Plena' Visit us. The difference is that they bloom on new wood, that is, new stems that sprout in spring, and that means the plant can bloom even after a harsh winter. Kentucky Wisteria Macrostachya “Blue Moon”: One of the most reliable even in northern climates, pale purple blooms several times between early and mid-summer. When pruning roots, only prune dead roots if possible. Kentucky wisteria (W. macrostachya) typically has shorter, denser panicles than the Chinese or Japanese wisterias. You didn’t mention where you are growing the plant, so how much protection and what kind are hard to predict. Wisteria macrostachya ‘Blue Moon' Produces foot-long clusters of lavender-blue flowers in spring, with repeat blooming throughout … Best Feature: Among the hardiest wisterias. $14.99. American wisteria (W. frutescens) is the earliest bloomer of the two North American species, usually in May or early June. Wisteria is not picky about soil. If you want larger clusters of bloom, then the Blue Moon Wisteria variety should be your choice. Tolerates wet soils better, is more restrained, and tends to bloom an earlier age … Wisteria macrostachya 'Blue Moon' Aunt Dee Wisteria. Otherwise they’re pretty much identical. Prefers well drained soil and we recommend mulching well for … These reliable plants usually will have copyrighted names like “Texas Purple.” Vines that are grown from seeds, and are of an unknown species or hybrid, are usually just labeled as Wisteria Floribunda (Japanese wisteria) or Wisteria Sinensis (Chinese wisteria) with no coined name after it. Yes, I’m doing fine… and writing up a storm. Do not grow on the side of buildings unless you make sure vines stay at least 4 inches away from the building itself, and are not close to power lines, lights, etc. Answer: Is it getting too much water? Also, sticking a shovel a foot down or so near the base of the main trunk, and damaging some of the roots, can also encourage blooms the next year. Iv planted the vine directly in the ground , but next to bushes to encourage growing over a stable arch . I have a Summer Cascade variety I believe. And wrapping an entire wisteria plant in burlap is quite an undertaking and is unlikely to do any good, as it protects the old wood while ‘Summer Cascade’ blooms on new wood. They are advised against, however, because they take so long to bloom, and because they may not grow true to their parent plant. Tags: Aunt Dee Wisteria. Blue Moon Kentucky Wisteria. For that reason, you can’t reasonably expect to get Asian wisteria to bloom reliably north of USDA zone 5b (AgCan zone 6b). Kentucky wisteria is notable because it is the hardiest of wisteria, with some of its cultivars rated for zone 4. Wisteria macrostachya 'Aunt Dee' Abundant 8- to 12-inch-long clusters of fragrant lilac-blue flowers on new growth. Once it is rooted and begins growing, let the trunk thicken for several months. For their first season, you should regularly water them if they don’t receive a lot of rainfall. Also, how much bone meal should I fertilizer my plant with and when. Watch. Change ). Zone: 4 – 9. Plant at the base of its support, and as it grows, use twine, clips, or similar hardware to train it in the direction you want it to grow. The lilac-blue fragrant flowers bloom up to 3 times during the season. Can Wisteria macrostachya be grown as a standard. After all, the rarer the plant and the more impossible it is to get it to grow properly, the more you’re bound to want one! The wisteria mystery has been solved and by none other than Marge Hols, who wrote this column for many years. (Wisteria macrostachya 'Aunt Dee,' 'Blue Moon') Wisteria is well loved for the beautiful, fragrant lavender-blue racemes that dangle from the vine in early summer. Stick this cutting into a small pot or container of seed starting mix, or a mixture of sand, peat moss, or vermiculite. Aunt Dee Wisteria needs support, such as a trellis, arbor or fence to grow and climb on. A superb vine to use for covering a trellis, pillar, fence, rail, or arbor. Wisterias prefer to climb and spread, but with proper care can be trained into a standard or "tree" form. Thank you for writing! Should I cover the entire plant with burlap or place straw on the root system? Flowers can be can be lavender, pink, white, or fuchsia colored. Otherwise it will tend to invade all nearby structures and trees. This is disappointing, and some people don’t find out until they’ve planted their vine and have patiently waited for a few years. It blooms in late spring or early summer. If planted in the wrong conditions, it will probably survive, but may not bloom. Japanese and Chinese wisteria are almost identical, except Japanese vines twirl clockwise and Chinese vines twirl counter-clockwise around a supporting structure. For mature vines that should be flowering, pruning can encourage more flowering. Aunt Dee … 31020 SE Waybill Rd. Unless your soil is extremely poor, you probably won’t have to ever fertilize them. To propagate wisteria this way, cuttings are taken from new growth at the end of the growing season. Likewise, if soil is heavy with nitrogen, this will encourage greenery but not blooms. The Wisteria Festival is held there each year to pay homage to the vine. Plants for this area must be tough and hardy, and able to withstand extended freezing temperatures. The hardy Summer Cascade™ wisteria was bred from a hardy strain of Kentucky wisteria and first known as ‘Betty Matthews,’ after a White Bear Lake resident in whose yard it … Question: The leaves of my black dragon wisteria are turning yellow and limp, yet the veins remain dark green. Wisteria vines grow upward from a central stem, and have been trained into tree (standard) form, but do best as a climber. Wisteria vines, for the most part, are not for the wimpy gardener.About 99.9% of the plants sold are Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) and Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)—thuggish Asian imports that frequently escape managed gardens.They climb the tallest trees, spread at light speed, and their muscular, … If you live in the South and feel you can keep the plant in check, you can go for the showy Asian varieties. Fall is the second-best option, as long as the vine is planted at least 8 weeks before frost. Wisteria macrostachya Aunt Dee £39.99. Tolerates wet soils better and … At the tip of each shoot is a feather shaped leaf running perpendicular to the other leaves on the stem. Smaller shoots extend from the main vine, and leaves extend alternately in each direction from those stems. Thompson & Morgan. 8-10″ long clusters of lilac blue flowers. The United States Department of Agriculture zone 3 can drop to -30 or even -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-34 to -40 C.). Finally, when the Asian species start to bloom, their foliage isn’t yet fully formed, allowing the flowers to dominate while North American wisteria flowers have to peek out through fully leafed out stems. Also, since wisteria (and many other plants) grown from seed may be hybrid offspring, the results were often unpredictable, and did not always have the same characteristics of parent plants in Asia where the seeds came from. $35.70 shipping. Many wisteria don’t bloom until after 20 years. Answer: It prefers hotter zones, so it should grow in Florida. Some consider this to be a sub-species of American wisteria. It is scheduled to go into continent-wide distribution in 2016, so look for it in a garden center near you very shortly. It’s helpful to know that these long “whips” are juvenile stems and will not produce bloom the following year, so no harm comes from pruning them back to 6 to 12 inches from a main stem. A long lived wisteria that is one of the most hardy, growing in USDA zone 4. Zones: 4-9. « Wisteria devrait être le mot latin pour travail! Boring, OR 97009. Depending on the species, their stems either twirl clockwise or counterclockwise as they climb. This is because these types flower on the previous year’s wood, and buds form before frost—but harsh winters often kill buds before they ever have a chance to flower in the spring. There are some extra hardy cultivars, such as W. floribunda ‘Lawrence’ and W. sinensis ‘Caroline’, that may bloom fairly well in USDA zone 4b (AgCan zone 5b)… but only after a fairly mild winter. About Wisteria macrostachya Blue Moon. Depending on the species, flowers hang in cascades ranging from 10 to 80 centimeters long. Carol & Brian Matthews, Truro, NS. Asian varieties bloom in earlier spring on old growth when foliage is not yet fully developed, while American varieties bloom on new growth (since frost) when foliage is already present. This photo was taken in late August, when blooming has finished for the season. During these seasons, the heat won’t be as likely to shock the plant, and the ground is sufficiently soft for it to spread its roots. Although they will grow in USDA zone 3 (AgCan zone 4), but often freezing back severely, their flower buds are formed over the previous summer and overwinter on the plant (they bloom on old wood). It is popular in the southern United States, where it is more likely to bloom each year because of the warmer climate. The vine got its name in the early 19th century when botanist Thomas Nuttall named it after the famous physician Dr. Caspar Wistar. Vines should be pruned in winter, shortly before spring. 2 watching. I do fertilize it twice a year with Miracle grow. I grew mine from vines I found in a field. ... Aunt Dee Kentucky Wisteria $ 99.50. Wisteria seeds are not extremely common commercially, but they are sold. It is a beautiful healthy green vine with undergrowth and new leaves , however the top growth has been attacked and the only description I can give is that the leaves have almost been stripped bare and has left just a skeleton behind . Kentucky wisteria plants are the premier wisteria vines for zone 3. that it could crush. It forms roots of its own, and can be cut away from the main plant after about a year and planted somewhere else. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Eventually, Westerners returned to Asia to obtain cuttings from vines they coveted, and were able to grow identical vines from those. Hi Larry! And there is a new arrival, deemed the hardiest wisteria of all: Summer Cascade ™ (W. macrostachya ‘Betty Matthews’). If you’ve failed in the past, the newer, hardier W. macrostachya cultivars might just be what you need for good results this time. Here then are some tips that can help you succeed. They are dark green in color. In northern climates, if you are worried that the harsh cold may prevent blooming, you can cover the base of the plant around the main trunk with mulch, and can wrap vines in a material such as burlap to protect newly forming flower buds. The flower pendulums hang downward, and blooms open first at the top of the cluster, making their way down. If you plant them in soil that is too rich, or if you add a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, the plant will tend to produce lots of leaves but few flowers. Les Glycines (Wisteria sp.) Not so with Blue Moon Wisteria (Wisteria macrostachya 'Blue Moon'). How to Overwinter a New Wisteria Plant. Two cultivars that have been giving good results are ‘Blue Moon’ and ‘Aunt Dee’, and they can be considered bud hardy to USDA zone 3 (AgCan zone 4). The wisteria mystery has been solved and by none other than Marge Hols, who wrote this column for many years. Browse pictures and read growth / cultivation information about American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) 'Aunt Dee' supplied by member gardeners in the PlantFiles database at Dave's Garden. If Asian varieties are grown north of zone 6 or 7, however, they may need extra winter care in order to bloom, as harsh temperatures can kill the growing flower buds. The blooms hang down in large clusters that reach 12 inches or more, and the individual flowers are purple-blue – a stunning effect. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Height 15-25`. Cold climate zone 3 gardening can be one of the most challenging of the regional conditions. What should I do? long clusters of lilac blue flowers. floribunda.) I might add that the purple blooms on my wisteria smell heavenly. ago along with a White wisteria vine that I ordered online from White Farm Farm (also very high end) I planted them close enough together that I was able to take one of the thicker young vines and simply loop it around the other halfway up the first yr. I suggest just letting yours grow, pruning only to control it! Deciduous. Although many gardeners on many continents love and grow wisteria, it is considered an invasive species in many parts of the United States, especially the fast-spreading Asian varieties. Make sure soil drains well. All are climbing vines that grow and attach itself to any nearby supporting structure. Best of luck with your wisteria trials. If grown as a standard, it will need a T-shaped copper or metal support. Wisteria is a beautiful vine that many gardeners dream of having one day. Wisteria sinensis 'Southern Belle' Black Dragon Wisteria . In the spring, they will display beautiful racemes of seemingly huge purple flowers compared to their miniature foliage and stems. ‘Aunt Dee’ has pale lavender blooms and ‘Clara Mack’ has white blooms. It blooms later than the others, often not … ‘Blue Moon’ is an extra-hardy cultivar of native Kentucky wisteria, with showy, silvery-blue clusters. Blooms at an early age. Wisterias (Wisteria spp. Characteristic wisteria leaves. Just wish it would warm up a bit: my windowsills are filled to overflowing with seedlings and it’s still too cold to even acclimate them! In fact, cutting them back may even help stimulate better bloom. The cultivar ‘Blue Moon’ is a hardy selection from Minnesota with wonderfully fragrant blossoms that first appear in June and repeat through the summer. Still, it can be beautiful if grown over a pergola or trellis in such a way that the blooms are encouraged to hand down. If you want larger clusters of bloom, then the Blue Moon Wisteria variety should be your choice. The majority of Kentucky wisteria (such as cultivars ‘Abbeville Blue,’ ‘Blue Moon’ and ‘Aunt Dee’) feature a color that falls in the blue-violet spectrum, the one exception being the cultivar ‘Clara Mack’, which … Don’t know how they got there, but I’m glad they were. Some commercialized cultivars of the Japanese species include: Some specific varieties of the Chinese species include: Also, some hybrids between Japanese and Chinese wisteria exist, such as Wisteria Formosa. Keep the following in mind when planting and choosing a wisteria vine. Grafted Wisteria Pink 2L 60-70cm on canes £19.99. Wisteria macrostachya 'Aunt Dee' Southern Belle Wisteria. Compare that to Asian wisterias that can often take 7 to 10 years to produce their first flowers. First of all, their flower spikes are less than half as long, so they really don’t drip down like the Asian species. If kept as a vine, it needs a big wooden pergola, arbor, or trellis. The cultivar considered the most suited to northern gardens is W. frutescens ‘Amethyst Falls’, but still, its susceptibility to spring frosts means it really can’t be widely recommended north of USDA zone 4b (AgCan zone 5b), except in the most protected spots. This deciduous, twining, woody vine is noted for long life and exceptional beauty. What: Sets lavender-blue blooms up to three times in a season. If you live north of USDA hardiness zone 4 (AgCan hardiness zone 5), you’re in the “not really a good climate for wisterias” region, but you can be successful… if you choose one of the hardiest cultivars. The cascades of blooms resemble bunches of grapes or peas strung together. Wisteria is a popular climbing vine that produces beautiful purple flowers. Many North American wisteria will already be in bloom when you buy them and will continue blooming from then on. Pendulous lavender-blue blossoms '– on dramatic racemes up to 12 inches long '– … Zone 4. It’s really close to my block wall and my house. Afters years of training and pruning, wisteria vines can be grown into beautiful miniature "trees.". The blooms have also been described as resembling rain. Aunt Dee Kentucky wisteria ( Wisteria macrostachya 'Aunt Dee'): Flowers are light purple with a light fragrance. When: Late spring. Old wisteria vines are common in China and Japan. The Aunt Dee Wisteria, 'Wisteria macrostachya 'Aunt Dee', produces showy clusters of fragrant, lilac like, light purple flowers in the spring. Factors that affect poor or no blooming are mainly winter dieback and incorrect soil makeup. It blooms later than the others, often not until the … This native plant is related to the more common Chinese wisteria, but is much superior if you live in a cooler area. “Aunt Dee” Kentucky Wisteria : Fuller, plumper blooms a little lighter in color than “Blue Moon;” also hardy in northern zones. Its hard, woody vines and growth make look a little unsightly during the winter months after it loses its leaves, but it will come back vigorously in the spring. Because of this, flowering trees or vines are best if they are kept as larger bonsais. Vines can grow 15 to 25 feet long and produce 6 to 12 inch racemes of scented pea-like flowers which appear in June. When I first saw a photo of a wisteria vine, I was taken aback. ), with their dripping spikes of scented lavender blooms, are probably the most desirable of all climbing plants in colder climates… precisely because they are so difficult to get to bloom. Wisteria’s refusal to flower even in mild climates is legendary; in cold areas, it is even less reliable. New growth is green and tender, while old growth is brown or gray and woody. ( Log Out / On the plus side, North American species will bloom even when they are young. Some consider this to be a sub-species of American wisteria. As for bone meal, it’s not a particularly useful fertilizer (in fact, it’s pretty much useless (read https://laidbackgardener.blog/2018/04/14/bone-meal-much-ado-about-nothing/). Flower Color: Dark Blue Flower Form: Pendulous Racemes Flowering Period: Early Spring Mature Height: 8-30'(3-10m) Pruning Requirement: Prune to Shape Planting Aspect: Full Sun Cold Tolerance: USDA Zone 4 Price Group: 2 About Wisteria floribunda Aunt Dee A vigorous climber for large walls, fences etc. Do not use nitrogen fertilizer, as this will discourage blooming. Also, they don’t bloom as heavily as Asia wisterias often do: you simply don’t seem them “covered with flowers” like an Asian wisteria can sometimes be… in zones 7 or 8, that is! » Mais la beauté d’une glycine en fleurs compense bien pour ces longues heures de travail. The only way around this factor is to wait, unfortunately. Wisteria brachybotrys Okayama - Rare Purple-Violet Japanese These vines have the longest clusters of flowers of any wisteria, sometimes up to 18 inches long. These are an increasingly popular choice for more northern gardeners who really want a wisteria vine, but are not able to get an Asian variety to bloom. It is a selection of an American species of wisteria, native to Kentucky and it is very hardy, able to take cold winters that would kill Chinese wisteria (W. chinensis) or Japanese wisteria (W. Appealing Features Plant Blue Moon Wisteria for its: • Flowers. They were growing on a tree. If grown in the right conditions, wisterias will grow quickly, and once they are mature, bloom like crazy even if you don’t do anything to it. (This won’t kill the plat—it’s very hard to kill wisteria. Watch. Of course, these addition flowerings are not as dense as the first wave, but who doesn’t appreciate a few extra blossoms? Like many perennials, wisteria can be planted either in the spring or the fall. $9.99 shipping. This is not something cold climate gardeners can easily achieve. Wisterias live in symbiosis with bacteria on their roots that provide them with the nitrogen they need for their growth. Hi Carol! To start a wisteria bonsai, take a cutting from young growth just like you would for normal propagation. As I discovered, wisteria is a marvelous vine that, when cared for properly and grown under the right conditions, wows each year with luscious cascades of purple flowers. Once the plant is established, it will need repotted every few years. This is one you might even want to try, at least as an experiment, in USDA zone 2 (AgCan zone 3). Once your wisteria starts to take off, don’t hesitate to cut back its roaming branches. Even though American wisteria is easier to grow in a larger range of U.S. climates, it is not quite as showy as its Asian counterparts. Note too that wisterias are very strong growers and will need a solid support, easily overwhelming and even crushing small wooden trellises. Wisteria is a beautiful, fast growing vine that covers pergolas or arbors. If buds die in cold temperatures, the wine will likely come back next year, but with only green foliage, and no flowers.