wisteria
The Wisteria varieties listed are a selection we consider the best currently available from our original seventy plus forms that were collected locally and also imported from around the World . All are grafted to ensure early vigour and flowering . When planting always put the graft union a few inches below soil level . Any sucker growth that may sometimes occur coming from below the soil should be removed . Flowering times will vary depending on climate and some forms may take time to display their true flower colour . All prefer full sun positions but light filtered shade can be tolerated and on some forms can improve the flower colour . Colder climates tend to mask the strength of the scent and warm humid areas tend to amplify it . Pruning to promote flower production , once the plants have established and reached a desired size , is best done in late summer cutting back the seasons lanky water shoot growth down to three buds from where growth started the preceding spring. Extra watering when in flower will extend the display.
CHINESE WISTERIA VARIETIES
WISTERIA sinensis AMETHYST
Very fragrant flowers on this superb selection that is a vigorous grower . Flower colour is on the red-violet side of blue and the 25cm. long racemes are produced in large volumes . It is distinguishable from other forms in this species by its darker coloured bud sheaths . Young growth is a deep bronze and flowering occurs , like most forms , in both spring and summer once established .
WISTERIA sinensis BLUE PACIFIC
Probably the best of the blue coloured selections available in this family , for the number of racemes produced , length of racemes , usually about 35cm. but occasionally up to 50cm. and the ability to flower prolifically as a young plant . Stunning blue flower colour and the strong sweet scent associated with this group . At its flowering peak in early spring and then spot flowers from late spring into autumn .
WISTERIA sinensis JAKO
A pure white flowered form with a heavy sweet scent . Racemes of around 30cm. in length open in early spring in great profusion and follow up spot flowering occurs through the summer months . This cultivar benefits from a lightly dappled shade position that will keep the flowers whiter than in full sun where the flowers have a grey tinge . Best to regularly lightly prune this form when young to improve density .
HYBRID VARIETY
WISTERIA hybrid CAROLINE
A strongly scented , early flowering form . Flower colour on opening is a pleasant mauve-lilac that fades as it ages to a grey silvery-white . The tightly packed racemes are produced prolifically and measure about 20 to 25cm. in length . A good hardy and reliable selection that seems almost to fit into the Chinese group .
LONG RACEMED JAPANESE VARIETIES
WISTERIA floribunda BLACK DRAGON
The spectacular double dark purple-violet flowers of this form are unique . With racemes around 35cm. in length and a slight scent this old selection certainly attracts attention when in full bloom . It is normally the darkest of all Wisteria flowers although climate and soils may change this sometimes . Autumn foliage becomes an appealing butter yellow before leaf drop .
WISTERIA floribunda GEISHA
To see this cultivar in full flower is one of the pleasures of spring . Narrow racemes about 35cm. long are very densely packed with up to 160 individual florets that are softly scented. The overall colour of the racemes is a very pleasing pale blue and they are produced in abundance on this variety that is quite vigorous and posseses an upright branching habit.
WISTERIA floribunda LAWRENCE
A beautiful form with racemes up to 45 to 50cm. in length . These racemes are noticeably narrow and densely packed with up to 170 individual florets . The flower colour is a pale blue-violet and they are sweetly scented . Seed pods are quite long and are freely produced . Autumn foliage is a good light yellow .
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WISTERIA floribunda NISHIKI
A rare variegated foliaged selection . Leaves are green with creamy-white markings . When leafing out in spring the foliage is a distinct golden-yellow . The racemes are about 30cm. long and a very deep purple that stands out against the foliage . It does not foliage burn in full sun positions . Makes a good container plant .
WISTERIA floribunda PURPLE PATCHES
A selected form from New Zealand , with unbelievably long racemes ranging from 90cm. up to 150cm. in length . Flowers are purple-mauve and moderately scented . racemes once established are produced in abundance on this reasonably vigorous showy selection . Good yellow autumn foliage colouring .
WISTERIA floribunda ROSEA
This mid to late season flowering form is by far the pinkest variety available and in full flower very desirable. The individual florets are pink tinted lavender and have a distinct yellow blotch . The slightly scented racemes are up to 45cm. long . New growth is a bronze colour and autumn foliage is a good bronze-yellow .
WISTERIA floribunda ROYAL PURPLE
Very dark purple large racemes , up to 50cm. long , on a plant that flowers early in the season and when it is quite young . The flowers are sweetly scented and the foliage is shiny and narrow . It is not a rampant grower and is easy to keep in bounds . It makes a superb tub specimen . Good autumn foliage colour .
WISTERIA floribunda SNOW SHOWERS
Mid season truly stunning white flowering form . The 40 to 50cm. long racemes are produced in abundance and are densely packed with brilliant white florets marked with a yellow blotch . The flowers are lightly scented and the unopened floral bracts are an attractive light green as is the new foliage .
SHORT RACEMED JAPANESE VARIETIES
WISTERIA brachybotrys BLUE VELVET
This , usually the first of the often known as venusta forms to flower , is a very floriferous selection , the more so the older it gets . The flowers are on the blue side of blue-violet and held in racemes about 20cm. long , generally longer in the summer blooming . The flowers are strongly scented and the new foliage is a very pale yellow-green . turning soft yellow in autumn .
WISTERIA brachybotrys OKAYAMA
An extremely attractive addition to the venusta types , this form with its pink-mauve florets , is a very garden worthy climber . Raceme length is around 20cm. and the flowers are strongly scented when they open in early spring . Like other forms of this family , it is a robust plant that reflowers in summer and becomes more floriferous with age . The unopened floral sheafs are very eye catching .
WISTERIA brachybotrys WHITE SILK
Pure creamy-white flowers on racemes around 20cm. long , are in abundance in spring and summer , the summer buds are a distinct pink rather than white and are very showy . The flowers are strongly and pleasantly scented . New foliage is a very pale yellow-green and flowering starts on very young plants .
SOME NAME CHANGES FOR MARKETING PURPOSES
A few varieties have originally been given names that do little for their chances of public acceptance and for marketing purposes, new names are universally accepted as an aid to enhancing the prospects of these varieties making it into gardens more regularly. Below are listed old and new names .
WISTERIA brachybotrys BLUE VELVET====WISTERIA brachybotrys MURASAKI KAPITAN
WISTERIA brachybotrys WHITE SILK====WISTERIA brachybotrys SHIRO KAPITAN
WISTERIA floribunda BLACK DRAGON====WISTERIA floribunda VIOLACEA PLENA
WISTERIA floribunda ROSEA====WISTERIA floribunda HON BENI
WISTERIA floribunda SNOW SHOWERS====WISTERIA floribunda SHIRO NODA