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Wisteria

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
wis-TEER-ee-ah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Wisteria is a highly floriferous (producing numerous blooms) woody vine that blooms in mid-spring and will grow to 10 to 25 feet depending on the support it is given. Wisteria blooms are highly fragrant and come in a variety of colors ranging from pink to purple to white. These flowers are found in large racemes (long drooping clusters) of about 12 to 18 inches in length. Training into a small tree or shrub requires a significant amount of pruning.

Some Wisteria species such as the Chinese and Japanese species (Wisteria sinensis and Wisteria floribunda respectively) growing in the wild and in the landscape have the potential to compete with its host tree for sunlight, and usually winning. American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) is much less aggressive and requires less pruning and no risk of introducing an invasive species. This plant is mildly resistant to damage by deer and is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. 

It can be found in forests and other natural areas. This ornamental vine may be native or exotic and can become weedy in disturbed areas, and by roadsides.

Blooms appear on new growth only. The best time to plant is in the spring or fall when the plant is dormant. It can be grown from seed; however, it may take several years to mature and produce flowers. A cutting is a better choice for reproduction.  

When choosing a plant, please consider the fact that Asian wisterias are more aggressive growers than the North American variety. Distinguishing traits include differences in the seed pods. Asian wisterias have fuzzy seed pods, while North American wisteria has smooth seed pods. Also, the flowers on the North American varieties bloom after the plant has leafed out, while Chinese wisterias will bloom before the foliage opens.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Due to its rapid growth and spread, some wisterias can become quite heavy, putting a strain on the object or structure that it is attached to. It can spread in very small nooks and crannies, so placing near a structure such as your home is not advisable.  

Some insects affecting this plant are Japanese beetles, aphids, leaf miners, scale insects and mealybugs. Dieback, crown gall, and leaf spot are some diseases known to affect wisterias.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#fragrant flowers#fragrant leaves#spreading#deer resistant#pollinator plant#weedy vine#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#weed#hs111
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#fragrant flowers#fragrant leaves#spreading#deer resistant#pollinator plant#weedy vine#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#weed#hs111
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Wisteria
    Family:
    Fabaeceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Multiple, depending on variety: China, Japan, America
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Pollinator
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Buffer
    Colorful
    Defines Paths
    Screening
    Textural
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer
    Climbing Method:
    Twining
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    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
    Fruit Type:
    Legume
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a hairy, flattened pod with a few seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Irregular
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small downward facing flowers tightly packed on a raceme, generally with one large outward facing petal per flower.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are alternate, pinnately divided with 7-19 leaflets each with a smooth margin.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Bark forms on growth of the previous year, it is a light gray smooth bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Long, bright green stem with leaves protruding opposite one another.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Patio
    Vertical Spaces
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    English Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    In pets: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, depression
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Lectin, Wisterin, a glycoside, and a toxic resin.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Seeds