- Botanical name: Wisteria sinensis
- Common name: Chinese wisteria
- Family: Fabaceae
- Plant Type: Climber, Deciduous
Purple
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Prefers rich soil
- Scented flowers
The fragrant, pea-like flowers of Chinese wisteria, Wisteria sinensis, open in early summer on bare stems. The species has lavender flowers but named varieties are available in shades of violet or white. It can be grown traditionally on the wall of a large house or allowed to scramble through a large tree. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Grow Wisteria sinensis in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Like most wisterias, it’s slow to become established and may take several years to start flowering. Alternatively, buy a grafted plant which will flower sooner than those grown on their own roots.
How to grow Wisteria sinensis
-
Plant size
9m height
4m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, east facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Back
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full sun, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do not Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Take cuttings | ||||||||||||
| Take cuttings |
J
Do not Take cuttings in January |
F
Do not Take cuttings in February |
M
Do not Take cuttings in March |
A
Do not Take cuttings in April |
M
Do not Take cuttings in May |
J
Do Take cuttings in June |
J
Do Take cuttings in July |
A
Do not Take cuttings in August |
S
Do not Take cuttings in September |
O
Do not Take cuttings in October |
N
Do not Take cuttings in November |
D
Do not Take cuttings in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do Prune in January |
F
Do not Prune in February |
M
Do not Prune in March |
A
Do not Prune in April |
M
Do not Prune in May |
J
Do not Prune in June |
J
Do Prune in July |
A
Do Prune in August |
S
Do not Prune in September |
O
Do not Prune in October |
N
Do not Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Wisteria sinensis and wildlife
Wisteria sinensis is known for attracting bees and birds. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers and provides shelter and habitat.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Attractive to Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Wisteria sinensis poisonous?
Wisteria sinensis can be toxic.
Toxic to Cats
Toxic to Dogs
Toxic to Horses
Toxic to People
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Livestock
Plants that go well with Wisteria sinensis
