Key features
AwardsRHS Award of Garden Merit
Final size8 x 10 metres in 20 years
FoliagePinnate green leaves (deciduous)
FlowersLong racemes of lilac-blue flowers in early summer
SoilPrefers moist yet well-draining soil
Description
For flowers that appear just before the leaves, choose Wisteria sinensis ‘Prolific’, commonly known as Chinese Blue Wisteria. ‘Prolific’ produces long, heavy, drooping racemes of lilac-blue flowers in early summer. The pea-like flowers are highly scented and popular with bees and other pollinating insects. New foliage emerges bronze before turning bright green.
Wisteria sinensis ‘Prolific’ is a climbing Wisteria plant that can be grown to 8 x 10 metres in 20 years or kept much smaller. Any free draining soil will suit that is in full or partial sun. Ideal for growing over a pergola or against a sunny wall, Wisteria ‘Prolific’ provides rich scent and is popular with wildlife.
As with all our climbing Wisteria, this Chinese variety is grafted and tends to flower at a younger age than those grown from cuttings.
AKA Chinese Blue Wisteria, Blue Climbing Wisteria
Planting Steps
1Preparation
- Pot-grown plants can be planted at any time of year, whereas bare roots need to be planted between November and March.
- Clear weeds and grass within a metre of the planting hole.
- Dig a hole as deep as the root mass and twice as wide.
- To help your plant establish more effectively, sprinkle Rootgrow in the hole.
2Planting
- Gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole.
- Ensure the top of the plant’s compost is flush with the level of the surrounding soil and the graft union or collar of the tree is above ground level.
- Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost.
- Fill in the hole, firming the soil gently.
3Last Steps
- Water generously around the base of the plant.
- If you are planting either a single stem tree or mature standard tree, we recommend adding a staking kit and rabbit guard.
Aftercare Advice
Wisteria require a good watering regime for a couple of years whilst they establish. Water well and regularly through spring and summer, increasing in hot or dry weather. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little. It is advisable to keep the area free of competing weeds and grass during this period.
Wisteria should be pruned twice annually—once in February when it is dormant and once in August—in order to maximise flowering and help keep it under control. The idea is to encourage the development of short, flowering-bearing spurs and reduce the amount of vigorous, leafy growth.
In February, start by removing any dead, diseased or damaged branches, right back to the main branch. Tie in new growth to extend the main framework and cut back summer side shoots to two or three buds from the base. As there are no leaves on the wisteria at this time of year, it’ll be easier to see what does and doesn’t need pruning.
In August, after flowering, cut back long or whippy green side shoots of the current year’s growth back to 20cm (about five leaves from the main stem). If there are any dead, diseased or damaged branches, these should be removed. If your wisteria is young, select a few strong shoots to tie onto your climbing support. On an older wisteria, simply prune side shoots back to your framework of strong shoots.
To keep them happy and healthy, wisteria can be fed every spring with a general purpose fertiliser. Feeding with a high potash fertiliser or a flowering shrub feed (such as a rose feed) will encourage flower production.
For more detailed advice and video guides, please visit our Help & Advice section.
