American Wisteria Wisteria frutescens

Wisteria frutescens, commonly called American wisteria, is a counterclockwise twining deciduous woody vine that grows to 40 feet or more. It is typically found in moist thickets, swampy woods, pond peripheries and stream borders and is native from Virginia to Illinois south to Florida and Texas. It is commonly found on the coastal plain of North Carolina and rarely in the Piedmont. American wisteria is not as aggressive a spreader as Wisteria sinensis (Chinese wisteria). Both Wisteria frutescens (American wisteria) and Wisteria sinensis (Chinese wisteria) twine in a counterclockwise direction but Wisteria floribunda (Japanese wisteria) twines clockwise.

It is best grown in slightly acidic, humus-rich, moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Full sun is needed for best flowering and it cannot grow in full shade. The vines may produce flowers by the second or third year after planting, but it may take longer. Vines need regular pruning(s) in order to control the size and shape of the plant and to encourage flowering. Consult a pruning guide for specifics on the initial training of vines and the types of pruning that can or should be done for these plants. Any drastic pruning is best carried out in the spring, immediately after flowering. An application of fertilizer in early spring can also help stimulate flowering. Choose growing sites wisely because plants dislike being transplanted. The plant is known for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. Propagation from seed is very slow (measured in years), while shoots and cuttings are much faster.

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: 

Susceptible to honey fungus and a number of foliage-chewing insects and other fungal diseases. There are a number of reasons that vines may fail to flower including frost damage to flower buds in winter, too much shade, plants too young (especially seed grown ones), improper pruning or overfertilization.

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