Fabulous, fragrant, graphic, wisteria is generally planted along a façade or used as a climber to decorate arbors and pergolas to which it brings an undeniable charm. As a tree, in the center of a lawn or in the background of a bed, it takes on a whole new dimension. Try it, you won't be disappointed!
The choice of wisteria
If you are adventurous, you can start a wisteria tree from a simple seedling, which will allow you to intervene throughout the plant's growth. However, don't expect to get flowers before ten years or so!
It is therefore preferable to choose a grafted plant, from a garden center or nursery, which will ensure a quicker flowering.
Choose a healthy plant, without any trace of injury or disease, and ask the seller for advice on the variety best suited to your region.
Planting location
Choose a location well sheltered from the wind so that your wisteria does not break. This plant appreciates full sun and a non-calcareous soil. You can add compost, heather soil and humus before planting.
- Dig a 40 cm hole in all directions and plant it with an iron or rot-proof wooden stake of 2.5 m which you will drive at least 60 cm into the ground with a sledgehammer.
- Plant your wisteria at the foot of the stake and fill in the hole.
- Pack the neck of the plant well.
- Water abundantly.
- Hang the wisteria on its stake by making loose cross ties.
The essential pruning gestures to lead the wisteria into a tree
To obtain a beautiful wisteria tree, you just need to prune your plant regularly. Keep only the main stem and cut the small stems and the vegetation starts flush with the main stem. The plant should not branch out. As the plant grows, check that the ties that connect it to the stake are not too tight.
Wait until your main stem reaches a height of about 1.8 m to start keeping three or four stems in its upper part. These will be the carpenter branches. Prune them to 3 eyes, then the secondary shoots they will form, also to 3 eyes.
You will continue to remove all new shoots on the trunk throughout the growth. Do the same on the frames to give a nice shape to your tree.
In a few years you will have a subject that will capture all the eyes!
