I absolutely LOVE wisteria, but if it's not contained, it can be quite invasive. Fortunately, though, it's nature is to spread via long-reaching surface runners and not by underground rhizomes (as some invasive vines do), so it can be much more easily kept in check. However, if not regularly kept cut back, wisteria can spread to hundreds of feet away in a relatively short time. I have seen wisteria growing wild in wooded areas--perhaps initially from an old homesite--and reaching far into the upper reaches of trees hundreds of feet away, all traceable to a single parent plant.

It can, however, be easily contained by simply pruning adventurous branches at least annually or by regular mowing around a planting surrounded by lawn. My father had a wisteria in the center of his front lawn which was in a tree/bush form and kept in check simply by trimming regularly, its vining habit not easily evident, as it had a largish single trunk and a broad reaching canopy. You would only really realize that it was a wisteria upon close inspection or when it was in bloom.

I plan to have this vine growing on a medium sized pavilion-type structure with a sturdy frame made of some cattle panels I already have. Once the wisteria grows to cover it, it will provide a pleasantly shaded area for summer relaxation. The variety mentioned in the article ("Amethyst Falls") would be perfect to provide bonus rounds of color during the summer.

Radly

I consider the American & Kentucky Wisterias in eastern North America to be much better plants than the highly aggressive and invasive Japanese or Chinese Wisterias. The American species are not as flashy in bloom, but are less work trying to hold them back. By the way, I think there is really only one species each of Wisteria in that I can't see any significant difference between American vs Kentucky/ or/ Japanese vs Chinese.

I agree, Rick, but taxonomists are eager to separate every little physiological variation into a new species so they can say they named it. I was always under the impression that if two related species could regularly produce reproductively viable (fertile) offspring together, then they were actually the same species or subspecies of the same; and if the offspring were not (usually) fertile, then it was a hybrid, and the two parents were separate species. But what do I know? I'm not officially a scientist, I just enjoy following what scientists argue about, kinda' like watching nerds box. I guess that makes me an "armchair scientist", or a "Monday Morning taxonomist".

Radly

It is terrible when uncontrolled, however, so beautiful. When you are driving with the windows down in spring and catch that sweet scent and see the beautiful blooms hanging from the trees.

I agree that American (native) wisteria is much less aggressive than Japanese/ Chinese, BUT: take a sniff of one in bloom at your nursery. It is much less sweet than the Asian ones, and frankly, many people think it smells a bit like cat pee. ☹️