wisteria madness - Knowledgebase Question

Princeton Junction, nj
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Question by lindacalvo22
November 26, 2006
I just purchased two of your wisteria vines(texas purple japanese and white japanese)because I LOVE the look. But everyone has been telling me not to plant them on my pergola because it will overrun and take over and eventually cause much damage. I have decided to place them individually somewhhere else in my yard. but I am confused on where and how I should place them (by themselves or on some post of some type or ??). Please advise me on several alternatives and send me some photos if possible. I do not want to build another large structure (my pergola is already 14 x 14 and I need to keep the costs down. I am willing to spend about 75-100 dollars for each structure that I may need. Please help - I am totally new at gardening - and I feel very lost. Again, thank you for your time.
warmest regards,
Linda Calvo


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Answer from NGA
November 26, 2006
Wisteria vines are very large and heavy plants, over time they develop thick trunks at the base; unfortunately gardeners often underestimate the mature size when deciding where to plant it, and over the coming decades may neglect the routine pruning required to keep it within bounds. Each of these wisteria vines will have stems up to 25 feet long at maturity -- so just one could more than cover your pergola easily. The support must be proportionately strong and able to withstand the weight of the vine, the vines become extremely heavy especially when wet and act like a sail in a wind storm as well. In my experience a brick or stone pillar, for instance, or a thick iron post is a good support for the long term. If you are concerned it might overgrow your pergola, and this is a valid concern, then you could train the vine into a freestanding tree form planted in the center of a lawn area. This also prevents it from spreading excessively from the roots since you are constantly mowing the surrounding area. The following web site offers detailed information on how to plant, train, and prune a wisteria including instructions for growing it in tree form.

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fa...

Enjoy your wisteria vines!

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