As a fragrant and visually pleasing plant, wisteria is highly popular as decorative climber – though we typically associate it with the spring and summer blooming.
Barbra Streisand showed off her "miracle" wisteria in mid-winter on her Instagram page, noting that her lush plant bloomed through colder weather. Likely a white-flowered American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens), her climber is wonderful for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies, and can sometimes bloom early in mild weather.
Ever the keen gardeners, we couldn't help but consider the care and attention that must have been given to her plant, so we asked a gardening expert for tips on how to grow wisteria (noting that some wisteria are banned in some states under invasive planting laws).
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The first step to ensuring wisteria stays healthy is looking at your home's set-up, including climate and infrastructure.
'Wisteria thrives in full sun and moist, well-drained soil, and it needs a strong support structure like a sturdy trellis or wires fixed to a wall,' explains garden expert Luke Newnes.
'For the best blooms, plant it in a sunny, sheltered spot – ideally south or west-facing –and water regularly, especially during dry spells.'
He continues, 'If your wisteria isn’t flowering, it could be due to too much shade, incorrect pruning, or the type of plant – seed-grown wisteria can take up to 20 years to bloom, while grafted varieties usually flower within three to five years. Prune twice a year: cut back long shoots in late summer and tidy up in late winter.'
He also explains that wisteria can be potted if you wish (and you start it out as a tree, like Barbra's).
'You can grow wisteria in a large pot if you train it as a standard tree, and it benefits from an annual feed in spring,' Luke states. 'Most wisteria varieties flower in late spring (May/June), creating a stunning display that’s well worth the wait.'
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Whether you’re inspired by Barbra's winter-blooming wisteria or dreaming of your own springtime cascade, growing this stunning plant is as rewarding as it is beautiful.
With the right sunlight, pruning, and a little patience, your wisteria can transform any garden or balcony into a fragrant, flowering wonder. So grab your trellis, pot, or pruning shears, and get ready to enjoy blooms that are well worth the wait.
