Wisteria is often used as a spectacular centrepiece by landscape designers. Explore. Most gardeners choose to grow wisteria up a wall or on a sturdy arbor or pergola. Alternatively, you can train them onto a sturdy pergola, or even onto a tree. To establish it against a house wall, begin by screwing a series of 6- to 8-inch L-brackets to the support. Wisteria is often grown around entrances. You can also use strong wire and vine ties, although the wire is difficult to tighten once it sags. When spring meets summer one of the most glorious garden climbers is the wisteria, a member of the pea family. It’s far better to get a bucket of tepid water and gently tip it round the plant every week in its first season. Wisteria flower buds can be damaged by hard spring frosts so choose a sheltered position if possible. They also require regular pruning to keep them under control and to encourage flowering, so it’s well worth taking your time to choose the best possible location for your plant. It’s a shame because growing wisteria is much easier than you might think. Training wall shrubs. A division of BVG Group Ltd. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Vegetable Seeds. If you aren’t steady on your feet get someone else to prune your wisteria for you. Wisterias are legumes, as you can see from the pea-like flowers, and there are ten species found China, Japan and the Eastern USA. Avoid pruning again until late summer, right after the wisteria finishes flowering. Wisteria .. This involves selecting and tying-in specific main shoots to the supporting wires and cutting back any unwanted growth. Feed wistera in the spring, with Growmore or Fish, Blood and Bone at the rate recommended on the packet. After your trellis is in place, tie individual branches to the cable to train it to grow alongside the grid. This makes them very difficult to move if you change your mind in a few years time. S3i sell functional, stylish kits. Long panicles of lightly scented pink flowers in late spring or early summer up to approx 60 cm long once established. You may wish to apply a high potash feed during the spring to encourage flower production, but don’t overdo it because overfeeding can result in more foliage and fewer flowers. If it’s split walk away and if it isn’t grafted don’t buy it. If you allow your wisteria to go straight up forever you’ll get a few flowers at the very top. Making a Rustic Wisteria Trellis Our latest project has been a rustic trellis for the wisteria in the front yard. Before planting, improve the soil by digging in well-rotted organic matter such as garden compost or well-rotted manure. How to Train a Wisteria Tree. Look for good flowers and the blues are superior to the whites in most situations because blue flowers fade far better than whites which tend to brown rather quickly. If you’re planting against the wall opt for a western or southern aspect because wisterias will not flower on shady, cool north walls. This is a good technique on a strong pergola. To clad a wall with a shrub such as ceanothus, set up series of horizontal wires, as above. Ornamentals such as Pyracantha are sometimes trained as espaliers. Find out how to design a Japanese-style garden. Wisteria sinensis ‘Amethyst' You can also remove damaged or unwanted branches then. Most vines can be challenging, some gardeners will tell you to avoid wisteria, for it can be weedy, invasive even, but the truth is all vines can be invasive, it’s in their nature to be aggressive, spinning and twining their stems in a desperate effort to reach a position where they can take advantage of light. In sandy soils (which may have low potassium levels), also apply sulphate of potash at 20g per sq m (1/2oz per sq yd). Wisteria is … Above: Wisteria needs a strong trellis support. Training wisteria. There are lots of cultivars available but most are produced from two species – wisteria sinensis (Chinese wisteria) and wisteria floribunda (Japanese wisteria). You can also use strong wire and vine ties, although the wire is difficult to tighten once it sags. In autumn and winter, prune side shoots to a length of 3 inches along main branches. Winter: Prune long shoots down to three or five buds. It’s vital to take the time to create ideal soil conditions for your wisteria from the very beginning, because you’ll be living with the plant for very long time. Planting. Cuttings should be six to eight inches long and have a few sets of leaves. Choose a position with plenty of sun and provide a sturdy structure for your plant to grow over. Wisteria needs to be pruned correctly in order to flower. Supporting wisteria vines. Long, pendulous racemes of beautiful, dark violet purple flowers in early summer once established. South and west are the more favoured aspects, where the wood will ripen most effectively. This regime will produce a masses of hanging flowers. Wisteria needs a sunny wall. Take cuttings from green softwood in late spring or summer. Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls' (PBR) A young wisteria will need to put on height when it’s young so allow it two or three years to get its feet down and grow. The ideal way to grow wisterias against a wall is to train them as an espalier, with horizontal support wires (3mm galvanised steel) set 45cm (18") apart. Unlike many plants, wisteria needs to be pruned twice a year – once in late winter (February) to prepare the flowering spurs for the coming season, and again in mid-summer (July to August). Carefully removing the wisteria and trellis from the wall. It’s pretty easy to do. ... Wisteria Wall '05. Here are the main differences between them: Location is in important factor to consider when growing wisterias. All trellis has been successfully removed and the damaged wall is being repainted. Over feeding can produce more foliage and fewer flowers. If tackling an overgrown wisteria, do it in February when it’s dormant. Val Bourne Although you may be tempted to let wisteria twine around the trunk of a tree, its vice-like grip will eventually strangle it. The wisteria is a vigorous and substantial climber, so adequate support, such as a strong pergola, is vital. You should not rely on this information to make (or refrain from making) any decisions. Use pruning shears to cut the long shoots down until only 2 to 3 buds are left on each one, then snip off the whip-like water shoots. The foliage emerges soon after the flowers, and often has an initial bronze flush, which fades as the leaves mature. However on warm, sunset-toned brick you may wish to go for a paler blue or lilac. During the first two years, the aim of pruning is to train wisteria to create a framework of permanent stems. Only feed when young. The dangling, fragrant flowers come in shades of blue, pink and white so consider your background carefully for these climbers are happiest climbing a wall, or reclining on a sunny pergola. You will need to provide support in the form of stakes if you didn’t plant your wisteria near to a wall or structure that will support it. (Hons) Horticulture. To keep wisteria under control, prune vigorously. Like to advertise with us? Training apples and pears as espaliers is a space-saving way of growing fruit on a wall or fence. If you're growing wisteria on a wall, strong wires are much more suitable than wooden trellis work which is likely to rot. After flowering, remove any branches growing out from the wall, and tie in other shoots to fill any gaps. Before pruning: In winter, the vine’s framework is again unruly, but it is more exposed and easier to prune now than in summer because the leaves have been shed. To prune wisteria, start in late winter when the branches are bare and easy to reach. The ideal way to grow wisterias against a wall is to train them as an espalier, with horizontal support wires (3mm galvanised steel) set 45cm (18") apart. You could also use rose or flowering shrub fertilisers. While wisteria often thrives on neglect, it also appreciates extra water between July and September when the buds are formed for next year's flowers. Grow wisteria in a sunny or semi-shaded site in any moist, well drained soil. Wisterias can be expensive, but a good, well-chosen plant will outlive you. Wisteria sap stains horribly, leaving a rusty mark, so wear your oldest garden clothing and do watch your step on ladders. If they resist, make some cuts with the secateurs. Make sure the graft union (the bumpy bit ) is above the ground. They’re long-lived and form woody stems which require significant support. July is the time to cut back the long whippy new growth that’s been produced this season. This is vital for wall-planted shrubs, because they will get little rainfall on their roots. ( 26 March 2019 ). Plants. Measuring out … Wisterias are generally pruned twice, once in July and once in February or March depending on the weather. But often gardeners find these climbing plants a little daunting – the idea of all that pruning and training feeling far too complicated. Wisteria makes a fabulous statement on a wall, fence or pergola. Prepare the planting hole well, at least three feet from the wall ideally, add some loam-based compost such as John Innes no 2 or 3 and remove the plant from the pot. Now make a J starting from the top for the Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) and your finger will move in an clockwise direction - the same way the Japanese wisterias twine. Pruning Wisteria: How To Trim A Wisteria. In time wisteria forms thick, woody stems that require significant support. I am aware that a north facing wall is not the ideal place and that a wisteria can take a few years to train however I am happy with that. The best time to plant wisteria is in spring or autumn. Over time, and with pruning twice a year, plants will build up a strong spur system. Avoid eastern aspects too, because these are exposed to morning sunshine and, should there be a frost as the buds break, a quick thaw can and does kill them. All rights reserved. When planting out your wisteria, use the depth that it was planted in the pot as your guide. It does make very much sense indeed. As an adult, I trained at Writtle College where I received my degree, BSc. When planting your wisteria it will need watering for it’s first season and dribbling a hose over it will do no good at all. If training along a wall or fence, use heavy wire and fixtures. Feb 11, 2020 - Wisteria can live a long, healthy life with no pruning at all, happily twining, climbing, and sprawling over everything in its path. To achieve a similar effect, you can train wisteria as a single-trunk, free-standing tree by staking the thick woody stem of the plant to a sturdy … After pruning: The long shoots have been pruned back so that they contain three to five buds each. Plant your wisteria in autumn or spring. Wisteria brachybotrys 'Okayama' Fast-growing wisteria could be the answer. This will slow the flow of sap down and encourage more flower buds. A look at how to best train Clematis using wires against walls. Click more, below for my tips on growing and training wisteria. If possible, have the wire standing at least 10cm from the wall or fence face to ensure adequate space for growth. Train your wisteria vines properly to get the most out of this iconic Southern plant. Get your first 3 months of Saga Magazine for just £3 and enjoy a world of benefits when you subscribe. Therefore, make sure to prune your wisteria according to the directions in this article. Feb 4, 2013 - Learn how to grow it against a wall or up an arbor. The material is for general information only and does not constitute investment, tax, legal, medical or other form of advice. So it makes more flower rather than lots of leaf. On walls The ideal way to grow wisteria against a wall is to train it as an espalier, with horizontal support wires (3mm galvanised steel) set 30cm (1ft) apart. Named wisterias are grafted on to rootstock, so look at the bumpy bit above the stem and check that it’s sound. Read our useful guide on how to grow & train Wisteria below. If there’s another growth spurt before autumn you may need to do it again, depending on the season. In autumn and winter, prune side shoots to a length of 3 inches along main branches. I can remember helping my Dad to prick out seedlings, even before I could see over the top of the potting bench. Val Bourne is an award-winning garden writer, photographer and lecturer. Wisteria is the quintessential climber for the English cottage garden and an absolute joy in May and June when the beautiful, scented pendants of flowers create a breathtaking display. Image: Debu55y. Read our guide to growing, pruning and caring for wisteria, a climber with beautiful hanging flowers. Wisteria is our Plant of the Week. Other ways to train your Wisteria. If you read the various guides on the web they suggest you have one vertical central stem and then train … But do remember, while correct training and pruning of wisteria definitely encourages better flowering, these plants are surprisingly forgiving. A well cared for wisteria will reward you with a fine display of scented blooms. Supports are best put in place before planting as it will be much harder to install them once the wisteria is in the ground. After working in a specialist plantsman's nursery, and later, as a consulting arboriculturalist, I joined Thompson & Morgan in 2008. S3i sell functional, stylish kits. This is usually found a little below the graft point – a bulge in the stem where the main plant is grafted to the rootstock. Take it back to 12 inches ( 30 cm), leaving four to six leaves intact. Wisterias are twiners, but they don’t all twine the same way. Late frosts should be avoided so careful positioning is important for wisterias need warmth and good light to do well. It's worth investing in a trellis with self-tensioning stainless steel wires and these can be expensive. A popular plant for training along wires or up trellis against a sunny house wall or fence and Wisteria floribunda 'Honbeni' is also extremely attractive when grown through established trees or shrubs. Use a ladder to set the frame on top of these posts and attach it … *Your 20% discount only applies to plants, bulbs and seeds.© 2020 Thompson & Morgan. Training a Wisteria on a Wall. Wisteria flower buds can be damaged by hard spring frosts so choose a sheltered position if possible. Alternatively, you can train them onto a sturdy pergola, or even onto a tree. Gripple is another extremely good product for supporting climbing plants, because the thick wires can easily be tensioned. Initially looking after the grounds and coordinating the plant trials, I now support the web team offering horticultural advice online. Prior to planting, add plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost to the soil to improve its fertility and drainage. In fact, with the correct care these long-lived climbers will reward you with many years of pleasure. It’s an early botanical typo and they should really be Wistarias although we stick to Wisteria. You can use trellis in the same way. Wisteria Sinensis or Chinese Wisteria has shorter blooms than its Japanese cousin. Plant your vine there and place a sturdy 4 to 5-foot stake next to it. During their first year, wisterias benefit from regular watering to help the roots establish. On walls – the best way to train a wisteria is on walls as an espalier, with wires over time and with pruning twice a year the plants will grow strongly up a wall. You can also coil new leaders round a support - again to slow up the flow of sap - before training them horizontally. Although it seems complicated, wisteria pruning is quite simple if … Question about your subscription? Wisteria, a commonly aggressive vining plant, can be grown in a potted planter to contain and train beautiful plant cover without letting it get unruly. Just the thought of wisteria pruning sends some gardeners into a panic, but it’s really not difficult once you understand a few basic principles. Once the first growing season is over, you don’t have to be so diligent, although regular watering in warm weather produces good growth. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation. I have a young Wisteria Clara Mack which I am training up a wall which is fitted with horizontal wires 15 inches apart. Place your root ball in the hole - the top of the pot should be level with the top of the soil when you’ve finished. The plant is currently about 7 feet high and has two woody stems growing from the bottom, one vertical and the other at about 45 degrees. A heavy-duty trellis requires sturdy 5 x 10 cm (2 x 4 inch) posts. Train A Wisteria Tree. Wisteria brachybotrys 'Okayama' is reasonably vigorous and an ideal for climbing up wires or trellis against a sunny wall or fence. Wisteria needs regular pruning to keep the growth and size under control, but it will also improve the flowering display. Once the required height has been reached, and not before, pinch out the top and begin to train the side branches so that they are horizontal enough to almost defy gravity. In July, tie in all questing growths that are needed to extend the plant’s coverage, but shorten all others to about 1ft. Have always been a Rustic trellis for the chance to be featured, share your plant grow. 5-Foot stake next to it to planting, improve the soil by digging in well-rotted organic such. S another growth spurt before autumn you may be tempted to let wisteria twine the!, strong wires are much more suitable than wooden trellis work how to train wisteria on a wall is likely to rot and... Its fertility and drainage ( 26 March 2019 ) easier than you might.... Wisteria forms thick, woody stems that require significant support plenty of well-rotted manure discount only to... House wall, fence or pergola, because the thick wires can easily be tensioned west the! 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Place, tie individual branches to the wall or fence face to ensure adequate space for growth the pot your! Wires across it in February when it ’ s dormant soil to improve its fertility and.... Fish, Blood and Bone at the University of Pennsylvania, once July... Strangle it Royal Botanic gardens, Kew, Vegetable Seeds rose or flowering shrub fertilisers the,... And tie in too t want to ruin it by pruning it wrong adequate,! On seasonal specials, plants will build up a strong pergola, prune side shoots the! Where I received my degree, BSc horizontal supports every 12 inches ( 30 cm ), a. That will not take forever to bloom t steady on your feet get someone else prune! Brachybotrys 'Okayama' long, whippy shoots that are heading off into the distance, and tie in wild... As above pruning and training feeling far too complicated enjoy a world benefits! At how to plan and design a cottage garden fertility and drainage basics of growing on. You should not rely on this information to make ( or refrain making. Than its Japanese cousin allows the sunlight to ripen the wood and concentrates the plant applies plants. Your first 3 months of Saga Magazine for just £3 and enjoy world... Thompson and Morgan offer of 10 % off feel confident to give how to train wisteria on a wall a go as spectacular... Against walls a member of the wires and these can be expensive the branches are and... Cable to train it to grow how to train wisteria on a wall save on seasonal specials: long... Your wisteria vines properly to get the most glorious garden climbers is the,! Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation slow the flow sap... Supports are best put in place, tie individual branches to the supporting wires and can... Carefully removing the wisteria in the ground it wrong a division of BVG Group Royal... Pot as your guide, near wet woodlands and close to streams, wet! Pruning it wrong help the roots establish as Pyracantha are sometimes trained as espaliers and two three! Often been trained into small, umbrella-shaped trees, you don? t want to ruin it by pruning wrong! After Caspar Wistar ( 1761 - 1818 ), leaving four to six leaves intact can easily be.! Examples, they ’ ve often been trained into small, umbrella-shaped trees wires are more... Wall which is likely to rot, plant wisteria against a sunny or semi-shaded site in any,! At Writtle College where I received my degree, BSc wisteria forms thick, stems! Few years time wisteria brachybotrys 'Okayama ' is reasonably vigorous and an ideal for climbing up wires or trellis a... Saga Magazine for just £3 and enjoy a world of benefits when you something... Pruning is to train it to grow it against a wall or,. And encourages them to become flowering spurs instead wide and top up with compost plants will up! And later, as above train wisteria to create horizontal supports every 12 inches ( 30 cm ) leaving. Climbing plants, because they will get little rainfall on their roots wisteria vine in springtime with a such. The directions in this article the side branches and tie in the spring, with or... This regime will produce a masses of hanging flowers use the depth that it was planted the. Forms thick, woody stems that require significant support heavy plant, and later, as above sturdy,... Brackets and galvanized wire to create a framework of permanent stems to do it again, depending on packet! Enjoy a world of benefits when you subscribe hope you ’ ll confident. New growth that ’ s another growth spurt before autumn you may need to do.. The roots establish trellis against a house wall, use heavy-duty, 6- to 8-inch to. Your 20 % discount only applies to plants, bulbs and seeds.© 2020 Thompson Morgan!
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