Winning ways with Wisteria

Perfect for a pergola – or even for a pot – wisteria may have lofty ambitions, but there are ways to tame all but the most vigorous of cultivars, says Tamsin Hope Thomson

- Tamsin Hope Thomson

WITH its pastel shades and delicious scent, wisteria is undoubtedly romantic. In late spring and early summer the sight of walls draped in the pendulous blooms of this vigorous, twining climber is pure poetry.

But a closer look at the plant labels will reveal that many wisteria can reach huge proportions – a little off-putting if your plot is more modest than mammoth. Luckily, careful cultivar selection and judicious (and regular) pruning means you can still grow this lovely plant – as a small tree or even in a patio pot.

To get the best from wisteria, give it what it wants. First and foremost, that means sun, so you’ll need to choose the right spot. The ideal place for a wisteria is on a warm, south-facing wall – it can cope with some shade, but too much can (and probably will) affect flowering.

Plant in well-drained, fertile soil in spring or autumn when the ground is warm. Give it plenty of water over summer, especially if it’s a new plant (remember that the buds for next year’s flowers are set in the hottest months).

If you already have a wisteria but it isn’t flowering, common reasons are too much shade, too little water, or pruning mistakes. It’s normal to wait three to four years for a new plant to flower, so don’t panic if your young wisteria proves a little shy in the early days.

Timely pruning

When it comes to pruning, there’s no mystery or magical formula – get the timing right and you shouldn’t have any problems. Wisteria should be cut back twice a year – once in July or August after it has flowered, and once in January or February. Although it’s tempting, don’t prune in early or mid-summer as this can adversely affect the flower buds.