1 / 3
Overview
Wisteria floribunda is Japanese wisteria, a vigorous deciduous climbing vine reaching 25-35 feet (7.5-10.5 m) by twining clockwise around supports. Violet-blue pea-shaped flowers in pendant racemes 12-36 inches (30-90 cm) in May — longer racemes than W. sinensis (6-12 inches / 15-30 cm). Flowers open gradually from base to tip. Moderately fragrant. Cultivars in white, pink, and lavender. Medium green pinnately compound leaves with 13-19 leaflets each 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm). In Fabaceae. Native to Japan. Classified as invasive in southeastern US states — escapes cultivation and smothers native trees. This invasive potential is the primary ecological limitation. The vigorous twining stems girdle and crush support structures, gutters, railings, and tree trunks — requires a strong steel or masonry support. Seed-grown plants may take 10-15 years to first bloom; grafted named cultivars bloom in 3-5 years. Requires twice-annual pruning (summer: shorten long whips to 6 inches / 15 cm; winter: shorten to 2-3 buds) to control size and promote flowering. All parts are toxic (wisterin glycoside — seeds most toxic). Deer-resistant. Zones 4-9. Full sun. Growth rate is very fast.
Native Range
Native to Japan. Found in mountain forests and along stream banks.Suggested Uses
Grown on strong steel or masonry pergolas, arbors, and wall-mounted wire systems, with 15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 m) of support. Not for wood trellises (crushing). Invasive in southeastern US. Twice-annual pruning required. Toxic. Zones 4-9.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height25' - 35'
Width/Spread15' - 25'
Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years
Bloom Information
Late spring (May). Violet-blue pea-shaped flowers in pendant racemes 12-36 inches (30-90 cm). Flowers open gradually from base to tip. Moderately fragrant. 3 weeks on old wood (short spurs). Bee- and butterfly-visited. Cultivar 'Macrobotrys' has racemes to 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 m).Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Violet-blue (species type), also white, pink, and lavender cultivars; pea-shaped, tiny, in pendant racemes 12-36 inches (30-90 cm) — longer racemes than W. sinensis (6-12 inches / 15-30 cm)Foliage Description
Medium green, alternate, pinnately compound with 13-19 leaflets each 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm); turns yellow in fallGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun (6+ hours — essential for bloom). Well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.5. Requires strong steel or masonry support (twining stems crush wood structures). Twice-annual pruning: summer (July-August, shorten whips to 6 inches / 15 cm) and winter (January-February, shorten to 2-3 buds). Invasive in southeastern US — check local status. All parts toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 4-9.Pruning
Prune twice annually. Summer (July-August): shorten long vegetative whips to 6 inches (15 cm) or 5-6 leaves from the main framework. Winter (January-February): further shorten summer-pruned shoots to 2-3 buds from the main framework. This spur-pruning system concentrates flowering on short spurs close to the framework.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
wintersummer