Wisteria are incredibly elegant and breathtaking plants. When cared for properly, your wisteria will reach new heights and be a statement piece in your yard or garden.  

Here’s what you need to consider when adding wisteria to your garden:

• • Wisteria thrive in full sun and well-draining soil.
• • New vines must be trained and require moderate pruning during the first few years.
• • Wisteria can be toxic to both humans and animals when consumed in large quantities.
• • Mature plants can reach up to 30’ in length; this creates the need for strong support.  It is advisable to grow wisteria on a sturdy structure but not on your house/handrailing.
• • Due to its large, mature stature, wisteria can easily overtake neighboring plants.

How to plant your wisteria:

• • Plant wisteria in early spring or late fall while the plant is still dormant.
• • Dig your hole 1 ½’ deep and 2 ½’ - 3’ wide. Space plants 10’ - 15’ apart.
• • Mix ½ -1 cup bone meal in the hole when planting. Additional bone meal can be added each season by mixing ½ cup into the topsoil around the base and giving the plant a deep watering. Phosphorous from the bone meal will aid in flower production. 
• • Add a 2” layer of natural compost each spring to help retain moisture and control weeds.
• •W isteria plants need more frequent watering during the summer months for the first few years. They will become drought tolerant as the plant fully matures. If you receive less than 1” of rain per week, plan for additional watering. 

Ongoing care and pruning:

• • Wisteria flowers bloom only on new wood, so a consistent pruning regimen is necessary for continual blooms all season long. 
• • Prune in winter by removing half of the prior years growth and keeping as much new wood as possible.
• • Prune again in summer after the first flowering for a more traditional appearance. 
• • Every 2-3 weeks, remove any rampantly growing shoots that cannot be trained around the support. 
• • Once the vines are mature, informally grown wisteria will need very little pruning. A light clean up once a season will suffice.