American Wisteria - Wisteria frutescens

When most people think of Wisteria, they think of an aggressive vine engulfing old houses, clambering up trees, and, according to some reports, pulling down entire forests. This, of course, is the rampant Asian Wisteria, which can easily grow to 100 feet, rooting wherever it touches the ground. While Asian Wisteria is undeniably beautiful in spring flower, we think American Wisteria, its much better behaved cousin, is superior for most garden situations. American Wisteria is a vigorous twining vine which reaches about 20 feet. Unlike Oriental Wisterias, which flower on old wood, American Wisteria flowers in terminal racemes on new wood. This means that even young plants often bloom the first season, and they generally produce off-and-on repeat bloom during the summer. American Wisteria climbs anything that is handy and then flops and twines around the top, soaking up the sun_s rays. They_re ideal for growing on pillars, fences, or deck rails where the flowers will be displayed at or below eye level. Arbors created to display the pendulous flowers of Asian Wisterias are not suitable. American Wisteria can be pruned in winter to control size. Native plant guru, Dick Bir, points out that pruning enhances flowering as it increases the number of terminal branchlets. More terminals mean more flowers. Light pruning after each flowering during summer will further stimulate repeat bloom.

Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls' - American Wisteria

Unlike most Wisterias, which bloom only in spring, American Wisteria blooms abundantly in May and again in June and August. This selection from South Carolina plantsman Bill Head has lovely, lightly fragrant, lavender-blue flowers in 6-8-inch racemes, and the repeat bloom is even heavier than the species. Bill suggests pruning back juvenile shoots after the first bloom to stimulate good repeat flowering. 'Amethyst Falls' can even be pruned back nearly to the ground in late winter after which it will grow and bloom as a shrub—impossible with any other Wisteria! Unpruned it can reach 10-15 feet. It performs well in full sun, but a little afternoon shade will protect summer flowers from scorching. PHS Gold Medal Award. Z. 6-9

Full gallon

 

$ 24.95