Chinese Wisteria Prolific

A big, beautiful climber which can transform a house, Wisteria sinensis Prolific is a very large, vigorous, long-lived, deciduous climber which twines anticlockwise round its supports. It is best grown along strong, galvanised wires attached to the wall of a house or through a large, sturdy tree – a pergola would have to be very strong to support its weight. The mature grey stems grow attractively into gnarled shapes. The leaves are heavily divided into long, graceful leaflets, emerging with a bronze tinge before turning light green. In May, huge racemes, up to 1’/30cm long, of scented, blue, pea-like flowers hang from the stems; they are very attractive to bees. Seed pods follow the flowers. Should be pruned in February and August for best flowering, and to prevent the plant getting out of hand. Chinese wisteria Prolific is a particularly free-flowering cultivar, and holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Any fertile, moist but well-drained soil
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Season of interest: May in particular
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 30’ (9m); Spread: over 26’ (8m)