Wisteria: (history, planting, pruning) Climbing shrub for sunny or partial shaded walls,trellis, and arches

The Wisteria is a popular climber in Britain and can be seen covering many cottage walls and garden trellis in villages all over the country. However this woody vine is not a native of these Isles but of China (wisteria sinensis), Japan (wisteria floribunda) and The United States (wisteria frutescens and others). The English Botanist Thomas Nuttall who lived in America from c. 1800-1840 named the genus Wisteria, of which there are approx ten species, after Dr.Caspar Wistar a prominent American physician and anatomist of the time. The commonest species found in Britain is Wisteria sinensis, brought over from China in 1816. Indeed one of the original imported plants still grows to this day on the wall of what used to be the head brewers cottage at the Fullers beer brewery in Chiswick London and is probably the oldest one in the country.

The Wisteria is a hardy climber and once established very vigorous, so care should be taken when planting one by making sure that you have enough space to accomodate it otherwise heavy pruning will be required, it can easily find its way into gutters and under roof tiles. Don't let that deter you to much however as the spectacle of a Wisteria flowering in May is one to behold. They do best in a position with full sun or partial shade. Plant in Autumn or Spring in soil that is humus rich and well drained. When talking about Wisteria the question I get asked most often is how to prune them for maximum flowers. The flower buds develop at the base of the previous years growth on the spurs jutting outward from the plant, most visible once the leaves have fallen. Any water or side shoots sticking out (long wispy bits) should be trimmed back to three or four buds from the base. I usually do mine over winter but some people prefer to wait till early spring. In the summer after flowering growth will be vigorous so cut off all the long shoots that you don't want to keep to extend the plants height or width otherwise it will become very tangled. Happy wisteria growing! Pictures (copyright simon tinks davis) Top: A lovely day among the cottages of Amport village. Middle: Wisteria sinensis Bottom: Wisteria sinensis Alba (white) All posts are archived below, to go to the homepage click:http://www.lifebetweentheflowers.blogspot.com/ your views are welcome please say hello by leaving you message in comments below