How to Grow and Care for Wisterias

Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) is a common ornamental vine in temperate regions, known for its rich, pendulous clusters of purple flowers. The flowers are very fragrant and have a scent similar to grapes. This plant is a beautiful addition to your spring garden, but be aware - all parts of chinese wisteria are toxic when ingested.

Japanese wisteria (*Wisteria floribunda*) is a vigorous climber and requires a sturdy structure to support its weight when mature. In spring, it produces hanging clusters of fragrant, purple, pea-like flowers. These are followed by bean-like pods which burst open with a loud “pop” to disperse their seeds. Its beauty ensures it remains popular, but it is invasive and needs strict control.

This beautiful vining plant, american wisteria, will gracefully decorate a trellis or fence with its lush green foliage and cascades of blue or lilac colored flowers and velvety seed pods. American wisteria needs consistent moisture throughout the summer and fall prunings, but is easy to grow and attractive to butterflies.

Japanese wisteria 'Alba' is a wisteria variant with long, trailing white flowers favored by painter Claude Monet. These flower clusters can be up to 61 cm long, and their white color gives this cultivar its name. Overall, the plants grow up to 9 meters tall and are admired for their dramatic size and flowers.

Holding a merit award from the Royal Horticultural Society, the chinese wisteria 'Prolific' is a non-edible cultivar from the legume family. Its name likely comes from its abundance of lilac-blue flowers. Its blossoms differentiate it from other varieties of wisteria. This climbing plant has been known to reach heights of 9 m.