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Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls' is often confused with:
Wisteria sinensis Flowers
Native alternative(s) for Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls':
Clematis viorna Clematis viorna
Wisteria frutescens Growth habit
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Clematis paniculata Clematis paniculata
Clematis virginiana White four petaled flowers
Lantana camara Lantana camara flower

Amethyst Falls Wisteria Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls'

Phonetic Spelling
wis-TEER-ee-uh froo-TESS-enz
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

‘Amethyst Falls’ wisteria is a deciduous, climbing vine in the Fabaceae (bean) family. It is a wisteria cultivar from Head Ornamentals, Inc. Unlike the more common Asian wisteria, you will be pleasantly surprised by the less aggressive nature of this American vine. Considered by some to be a dwarf wisteria, ‘Amethyst Falls’ has smaller leaves and smaller flowers than its exotic Asian relatives. Once this plant is established, it can climb 18 to 20 feet high and has a spread of 10 to 15 feet wide. 

‘Amethyst Falls’ should be planted in full sun and in moist soil with good drainage. Space the plants 6 to 12 feet apart. This plant blooms on new wood, providing a gorgeous, heavy bloom in the late spring and a lighter, repeat bloom in summer. The flowers are lightly fragrant, lavender-purple, and borne in cascading 4- to 6-inch racemes in May. Due to the fact that our native wisterias bloom on new growth, vines can be moderately pruned back each winter. This characteristic helps gardeners train ‘Amethyst Falls’ onto arbors or to almost any trellis form. This plant has a low toxicity to cats, dogs, and horses.

An excellent choice as an alternative for the more aggressive, invasive Asian varieties, this wisteria is also both deer resistant and drought tolerant. Plant as a specimen, taking advantage of any vertical space in the landscape. It works perfectly in containers on a patio or near a pool. Its ability to attract hummingbirds and butterflies makes it a great addition to a pollinator garden. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No significant problems.  

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

More information on Wisteria frutescens.

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See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • ‘Amethyst Falls’
‘Amethyst Falls’
Tags:
#fragrant#hummingbird friendly#deciduous#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#specimen#dwarf#cottage garden#rustic#espalier#privacy#trellises#deer resistant#skipper butterflies#showstopper#deciduous vine#poolside planting#native vine#screening#larval host plant#vertical spaces#walkway planting#compact habit#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#arbor#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#silver-spotted skipper butterfly#container plant#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • ‘Amethyst Falls’
‘Amethyst Falls’
Tags:
#fragrant#hummingbird friendly#deciduous#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#specimen#dwarf#cottage garden#rustic#espalier#privacy#trellises#deer resistant#skipper butterflies#showstopper#deciduous vine#poolside planting#native vine#screening#larval host plant#vertical spaces#walkway planting#compact habit#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#arbor#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#silver-spotted skipper butterfly#container plant#patio
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Wisteria
    Species:
    frutescens
    Family:
    Fabaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts birds, butterflies, and hummingbirds. A host plant for the Marine blue butterfly, Silver-spotted skipper, and Long-tailed skipper.
    Climbing Method:
    Twining
    Dimensions:
    Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Dense
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Legume
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Flattened, brown, velvety, bean-like pod. They ripen over the summer from a fuzzy to shiny, smooth when dried. They may split open when ripe, or may remain through the winter.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Irregular
    Flower Petals:
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Pea-like flowers are lightly fragrant, lavender-purple, and borne in cascading 4 to 6-inch cone-shaped racemes in May re-blooming lightly in the summer.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Other/more complex
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Vertical Spaces
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Screen/Privacy
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting (sometimes with blood), diarrhea, depression
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Lectin, wisterin glycoside
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No