Wisteria Trees are a beautiful tree with unusual, purple blossoms that hang dramatically from scraggly branches. Wisteria Trees frequently grow extraordinarily thick stems that can be easily trained to grow into a desired shape. Wisteria trees are a stunning addition to any garden, whether grown as a vine or as a tree.
Description & Characteristics
Wisteria is a vining plant with a lengthy lifespan that can also be grown into a tree. It is distinguished by purple and blue flowers that look great when hung over doors or archways. White and pink blooms or flowers are also possible.
Flowers
The wisteria tree has clusters of fragrant and beautiful blossoms that cascade from the vines. These flowers are among the most distinguishing characteristics of this plant. It features beautiful colors such as purple, lilac, white, and pink. Keep in mind that it may take several years for the newly planted tree wisteria to bloom.
Color
Purple is the color most closely associated with the blossoms that the wisteria blooms. However, Chinese, American, and Japanese wisterias are available in a variety of pastel tints. Keeping this in mind, the most prevalent colors found in flowers are lilac, pink, white, and purple-blue.
Leaves
The tree wisteria has complex leaves with small, smooth, and green leaves that are one to three inches long and up to an inch wide. One thing to keep in mind about these vining plants is that they are deciduous, which means they shed their leaves in the fall. During this season, the foliage is often bright yellow and bronze with a slight yellow tint.
How To Plant & Grow
Avoid planting wisteria trees near your home - the nature of the uncontrolled growth on wisteria trees can damage homes and structures. Plant wisteria trees in full sun or medium shade, but make sure the vines get at least six hours of direct sun per day to promote bloom production.
Dig a hole twice the diameter of the plant's root ball and level the plant with the soil line. Because the vines will grow in quickly, space your plants at least 10 to 15 feet apart. Once established, wisteria trees require little attention to ensure healthy growth. Water consistently over the first year until the roots form.
Wisterias can be slow to emerge from dormancy and may not leaf out until early summer. They will leaf out normally the following spring, but don't be surprised if they don't produce flowers. Wisterias mature slowly and may not flower for three to five years after planting.
Care & Maintenance
Wisteria tree care and maintenance necessitates attention to the following areas:
Light
Wisteria, whether in vine or tree form, can thrive if exposed to full sunlight, as previously said. Giving it at least six hours of sunlight per day will help it produce more blooms.
Soil
Excessive nutrient levels in the soil might lead your wisteria tree to become basic or acidic. The plant would suffer from major difficulties such as chlorosis as a result, especially if grown in alkaline soil.
Water
Wisteria trees require only a moderate amount of water. Water should only be used to grow and establish a robust and resilient root system. It can tolerate drought for a limited period of time, thus a modest amount of water is sufficient.
Nutrition & Fertilizer
Wisteria trees are aggressive and fast-growing. You don't need to fertilize it on a regular basis. Despite this, it is still critical to test the soil's nutrition content to ensure proper nutrient levels.
When it comes to fertilizer, keep in mind that those high in nitrogen may promote stronger foliage growth but may prevent the plant from flowering. If you want your wisteria to produce more blossoms, use phosphorus-rich fertilizers instead.
Pruning
It is also critical to prune the tree's crown on a regular basis. You can keep the plant from becoming too heavy and taking over the entire garden. The optimal time to prune is in the early spring.
Staking
Wisteria trees require additional support to keep their heads upright in severe gusts. After planting, insert a wooden stake 6-12" deep and 1/2" away from the plant's trunk. Using a plastic tie, secure the trunk to the stake at a few spots around 8" apart.
Varieties
While wisteria is sometimes divided into two types — American and Asian — there is actually a wide variety of species — about 10 or so variations. Here are a few examples:
Wisteria Floribunda
This variety, known as Japanese Wisteria, is one of the most popular in the genus, and unlike other types, its purple blossoms bloom well into the fall season.
Wisteria Sinensis
This variety, sometimes known as the Chinese Wisteria, is significantly bluer in color than its relatives and is a very common food for bees.
Wisteria Macrostachya
Blue Moon or Kentucky Wisteria Kentucky Wisteria is an American shrub with lavender, almost white blossoms.
Wisteria Frutescens
This is another American species, possibly the most popular after Japanese Wisteria, with delicate, more subtle blue-toned purple blossoms.
Toxicity
Despite its attractiveness, wisteria is extremely harmful to both humans and animals. This is due to the presence of two substances: lectin and wisterin. These substances can cause diarrhea and vomiting in animals. Seek medical assistance right away if you fear your pet has eaten any part of a wisteria plant. You should also bring the section of the plant that they ate with you, as some parts of the plant are more dangerous than others.