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Wisteria has to be one of the most attractive of climbing plants and one that I wanted to grow from the time I first saw it. There are two main types of this plant - the Chinese: Wisteria Sinesis and the Japanese: Wisteria Floribunda - although there are also many others.
Wisteria ... Read review
Advantages: Beautiful plant Disadvantages: Can take over if not controlled
...with it.
Wisteria has to be one of the most attractive of climbing plants and one that I wanted to grow from the time I first saw it. There are two main types of this plant - the Chinese: Wisteria Sinesis and the Japanese: Wisteria Floribunda - although there are also many others.
Wisteria Sinesis, probably the most usual, is a deciduous climbing plant related to the pea family. This can be seen by the flowers which ... ...the wisteria.
Wisteria is quite capable of supporting itself as it grows long tendrils which curl around anything in the way. I regularly have to cut it away from drainpipes so that they are not pulled away from the wall! In fact, these tendrils need to be cut back as this helps the plant to produce flower shoots. Not only that, they grow so quickly that they would quickly take over house, garden and anything that gets in the way! ... more
What better, when you look out and see snow on the ground, than to think of Spring and the flowers that come with it.
Wisteria has to be one of the most attractive of climbing plants and one that I wanted to grow from the time I first saw it. There are two main types of this plant - the Chinese: Wisteria Sinesis and the Japanese: Wisteria Floribunda - although there are also many others.
Wisteria Sinesis, probably the most usual, is a deciduous climbing plant related to the pea family. This can be seen by the flowers which hang in long sprays - known as racemes - usually shades of blue or lilac and occasionally white. Although the plants may seem to be quite fragile when first planted, once established they can quite easily grow to 100 feet - with a gnarled and twisted stem more fitting of a tree of that size.
Many people find that it takes a while to flower. In fact, some neighbours of mine got tired of waiting and took the plant out. I have two in my garden that both flower prolifically - sometimes more than once a year. Both plants (bought at different times) were no more than 45cm (eighteen inches) when I bought them and one now covers and screens a couple of sheds, the other has been trained over an arch and along the side of the house. This one also has clematis climbing with it - mixing dark blue flowers with the pale lilac of the wisteria.
Wisteria is quite capable of supporting itself as it grows long tendrils which curl around anything in the way. I regularly have to cut it away from drainpipes so that they are not pulled away from the wall! In fact, these tendrils need to be cut back as this helps the plant to produce flower shoots. Not only that, they grow so quickly that they would quickly take over house, garden and anything that gets in the way! It's best to cut them back to about six inches even though this may seem extreme.
The flower sprays, which are about 20cm (eight inches) long, usually appear in May although sometimes more will form in late summer. The racemes of Wisteria Floribunda are longer: 30cm (twelve inches). Sometimes, if there is a late frost, the flowers will be damaged and droop but luckily this is not lasting damage although it can be disappointing at the time. The seeds, like all the pea family, are in long pods. New plants CAN be grown from these but they often take a very long time to flower when grown this way therefore the usual way to grow is from grafted plants. The seeds are harmful if eaten.
The ideal place to plant wisteria is in a sunny but sheltered position. I have found that they need very little attention - apart from pruning and training to climb in the direction required. As they are a member of the pea family they manage to provide themselves with nitrogen from the atmosphere so need very little help with artificial plant food.
I have to say that the tree that grows over the roof of the shed has always been a favourite shelter from the sun for my cats - but recently I found that there was also a fox making use of the same facilities. As this is only a short distance from the back door, I don't know who was the most surprised when we came face to face!
I hope that you will find this interesting and I thank you for reading.
Advantages: Fast growing Disadvantages: can be toxic
...to do?
I planted Wisteria in several places. On the fence and up the archway covering my entrance. The first year the goats ate one down to the ground. Worried me as the plants can be toxic when eaten. Goats were fine. Moved it. Dogs dug it up, moved it again and prayed it would survive. Four years later I have completely covered my patio with vines that won't quit! These hardy vines are fast growing, need very little water once established and ... ...the summer. Blooms show in the spring before the yearly arrival of new green leaves. Types range from white, or alba to purple. The flowers cascade, are showy and fragrant. This vine can be planted most ANYWHERE and thrive, actually becoming invasive in some parts of the world. In winter they look rather like something from a gothic horror story, tangled and dry, but the spring show is well worth the winter dormancy. ...
MaryLC 30.04.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Wisteria
Advantages: If treated with caution these plants can be enjoyed Disadvantages: Danger to children & pets, poor labelling at point of sale
Iris - underground stems and pods
Ruta ( can give a nasty rash and swelling on the skin or mouth if swallowed)
Foxglove - leaves
Monkshood - leaves
Oleander - leaves, branches are deadly poisonous
Hyacinth, Daffodil, Narcissus - bulb is poisonous
Larkspur - seeds, young plants
Lily of Valley - leaves and flowers
Dicentra(Bleeding Heart) - foliage and roots poisonous, will also harm animals
Rhubarb - leaf blade
Daphne - berries deadly poisonous
Wisteria - seeds/pods
Laurel, Rhododendron, Azalea - all parts
Jasmine - berries
I'm sure that there are a few surprises in this list and I'm not advising that you go around your garden uprooting every azalea and daffodil in attempt to eliminate all risk. There are risks everywhere in life, I don't think ...
Advantages: Beautiful flowers Disadvantages: Can take over the garden
October and the flowers are produced on shoots grown during the same season. One of the most famous in this group is Clematis Jackmanii first produced in England in 1858. The one in our garden grows along a trellis ? through the blackberries ? and right up the wisteria to the roof! At present (June) it is covered in buds but within a couple of weeks it will be a mass of dark purple/blue flowers.
The general advice for planting is that clematis like to grow in full sun however; they do like their roots shaded and well drained soil. In fact, mine seem to suffer clay soil quite well and often during the day are in the shade. They are mostly climbers (there are some varieties that aren?t) and they cling to any support by twisting their leaves around it ? unlike some other plants such as sweet peas that have tendrils for this purpose ...
Minha 20.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Clematis
Advantages: Reaches high branches Disadvantages: Upsets birds and squirrels
I was in dire need of a tree pruner. I had one (bought on a whim when I saw it at a reasonable - cheap - price). It was telescopic - however, it had jammed after only a few uses (I said it was cheap) meaning that it was no longer telescopic and not much use for what I wanted as it wouldn't reach the heights I required.
There are quite a number of trees in our garden although I hadn't realised just how many until I started to write this. I have totalled fifteen - not counting two Wisterias, numerous Hazels and a Christmas tree. They have to be kept to a reasonable height and size - some more than others of course. As I mentioned, I had previously borrowed one from our elderly neighbour but, as this was around fifty years old, it was somewhat heavy and awkward, it was also only about six feet long so didn't reach the higher ...
