Japanese wisteria is a vigorous, woody vine that transforms arbors and pergolas into cascades of fragrant flowers each May. This clockwise-twining deciduous vine grows 10 to 25 feet or larger, producing bright green compound leaves with 15 to 19 leaflets and spectacular drooping flower clusters up to 3 feet long in blue, violet, pink, or white. Hardy in zones 4 through 9, it blooms reliably in full sun and can even be trained into a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree for a dramatic focal point.
Full Sun
Moderate
4-9
300in H x 96in W
—
High
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The flowers open progressively from the base of each cluster to the tip, creating a weeks-long display of fragrant, pea-like blooms as new leaves unfold. This variety's vigor and rampant growth habit demand commitment from the gardener, but reward that attention with flowers so abundant and sweetly scented they'll draw you outside again and again throughout May. Its clockwise-twining growth distinguishes it from Chinese wisteria, making it a deliberate choice for gardeners who understand the difference between these two classics.
Japanese wisteria serves as an ornamental vine on sturdy support structures like pergolas, arbors, trellises, and fences, where its cascading flower clusters can be fully appreciated. It can also be trained as a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree form for gardens seeking a dramatic focal specimen.
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Japanese wisteria requires regular pruning to maintain desired size and shape and to control its invasive, rampant growth habit. Pruning should be performed consistently throughout the growing season to prevent the vine from overwhelming nearby structures and to manage surface runners that develop rooting ability. This high-maintenance requirement is integral to responsible wisteria gardening, especially on structures adjacent to buildings.
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