Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis and Wisteria floribunda) is a gorgeous climbing plant with heavy clusters of white, pink, blue or purple flowers. It can grow to enormous size and is ideal for covering pergolas and other outdoor structures that require shade or shelter. This tutorial describes how to grow it.
Steps
Step 1. Choose a suitable place
Wisteria grows lush and sturdy, so you need to provide it with plenty of space. For example, you can use it to cover a pergola or an external structure, to hide an ugly concrete cistern and so on. Wisteria can also be encouraged to grow along a fence. However, read the "Warnings" section at the end of the article to find out where not to grow it.
If you wish, you can grow it espalier, this can give it a very interesting look
Step 2. Choose a location with full sun exposure
Furthermore, the wisteria must also be protected from strong or dry winds (it must be in a sheltered place). The roots must be kept cool, despite the plant's ability to tolerate heat. The best solution is to place the roots in the shade and the top of the plant exposed to the sun.
Step 3. Prepare the ground
Wisteria is a strong plant and tolerates almost all soil types. However, the better the soil quality, the more lush and fast it will grow. The ideal is a slightly acidic soil (6 or 7 on the pH scale).
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Add mulch to help maintain the necessary moisture in the soil.
Grow Wisteria Step 3Bullet1
Step 4. Prune when necessary
Wisteria should be pruned just after flowering, but before new leaves form.
Remove the shoots that are too long. Cut 3-4 leaf knots from the largest stem
Advice
- Wisteria can be propagated from seeds, cuttings, by layering or grafting.
- Its flowers smell delicious.
- This plant is suitable for growing in more temperate and subtropical areas, while it is not suitable for tropical areas.
- Wisteria is perfect for the winter sun and summer shade.
- It adapts well to cold winters.
Warnings
- Avoid growing wisteria along the porch, on other support structures in the house, or around other plants. Its strength can cause damage to posts and other plants. Make sure the support it grows on is very sturdy.
- Wisteria can become invasive, keep it under control.
- If you want to get a good flowering, you need to give it plenty of sunlight.
