I found a bargain on a "Blue Moon" wisteria and was so excited about it I didn't really think it through too well... now I need to figure out how I'm going to grow it!!

Would something like this arbor (found on Amazon) be suitable? Or do I need something more substantial?? All suggestions welcome



edited to add that it's made of PVC

LOL -- I think with a little more research I've answered my own question on this (and the answer is "no"). Think I'll take the DIY route and build a sturdy arbor!

Have you seen what @Sharon did with her Wisteria? It's just lovely!

Hi Woof, are you talking about this: http://garden.org/ideas/view/S...

Yup. That's the one!

Woofie!

@Weedwhacker Sandy, I hope the article helps.

Wowser, that really is gorgeous, Sharon! And Woofie, thanks for the link to the article, very informative

Nah, I didn't provide the link to the article; I provided the link to Sharon! Totally different (and much better! )

Luv ya, Woof!!!

But seriously I am glad I started the wisteria that way, I think it's been growing about 30 years or more and never have I had a problem with it. I do have to keep it trimmed during summer otherwise it would be hanging down to the ground. I trim it like a haircut, all the way around the bottom, so it keeps its umbrella look. Like those old fashioned 'bowl' cuts.

Oh, I see you're right, Woofie -- but it did GET me to the article, that's what counts!

I'm afraid I'm going to be quite old by the time my plant has been growing for 30 years... assuming it even survives this winter! Any thoughts about protecting it for the first year or two while it's getting established? I was thinking that this year I would cover it with a burlap bag over a tomato cage -- obviously that won't be possible once it starts growing, though.

Sandy, I'll tell you what I know for sure, it won't grow in Denver Colorado and it won't grow in Iceland. I sent it to friends in both places just to try and of course it just didn't survive. I don't know about your area; Colorado has a higher elevation and different soil than our normal and Iceland has a shorter growing period as well, so that doesn't give me much to go by.

On the other hand, don't worry about the 30 year part, mine looked like this after about 6 or 8 years, it's just that the trunks are now thicker. For this first year, I'd do exactly what you said, cover with mulch and give it protection. It needs a lot of sun, too, so be sure it's planted where it can get it. It also likes humidity and I"d think in your area it would get it.

If it's going to survive in your zone, then help it through the first year but don't worry about it the next year. If it loves it there and grows for you the first year, then I think it is a survivor. Mine survived the horrific ice storm of '09 and again a rough winter last year. Yours should too. Seems that the soil and the sun are the main things to consider. Mine have also been through a couple of severe drought years. No problem.

I have this one in my front yard and its support rotted away many years ago. It looks a little squashed growing low as it does, but even so, it grows and blooms every year with no support except its thick trunk.

If you need me, let me know!

Every time I see that Wisteria, I want one!

Thanks, Sharon! The "Blue Moon" variety is supposed to be hardy here... time will tell, I guess, and it's not like I've never lost a plant to the weather before (And yes, I'm pretty sure it will find the humidity levels here to it's liking -- Lake Michigan sees to that!)

You might remind me of this in the spring Woofie, I don't have any runners right now and doubt I will have any the rest of the year. Wouldn't spring be better for you?

Oh, of course, spring would be best! Never thought of asking for a cutting. Are they easy to root? I have a sunny spot in the front yard where one might do well, as long as they don't mind a bit of wind.

We have wind too coming off the Plains, shouldn't be a problem. Can I ship a little bit of soil into your state? They are pretty easy to root but I think it would be easier to send you a piece that's already rooted. It's a little like ivy and the runner roots wherever it touches the soil, so I'd send you one of them, leaving a bit of soil attached. The woody part roots, not so much the new green part, in other words, the runner roots as it ages on the ground. See?

We'll figure it out between now and then. Just better for the plant if I can send it that distance with roots and a bit of soil.

There's no problem with sending a bit of soil, at least on my end. I've certainly ordered potted plants through the mail before! That would be wonderful, Shar! Heh, you may get that copy of "Metropolitan" yet.

Sorry, Sandy, didn't mean to hijack your thread!

It's all about Sandy's wisteria and how it will grow anyway.

Sounds good to me, Woofie.

See what you started, Sandy?
I do like your idea of using a tomato cage and a burlap bag. Seems like that should help some at least. Where does one get burlap bags anymore, anyway? I haven't seen one in ages.
Good luck with your new baby! They are beautiful!

LOL, Woofie -- I don't mind you "hijacking" the thread... you didn't, in my mind; it was all still about wisteria, and if you want to talk about something else here that's perfectly okay with me too!! (good thing I don't make the rules around here, there wouldn't be any)

Well, I didn't actually "get a burlap bag," although I imagine there are still feed sacks and the like that would work (?). I had bought a couple of rolls of burlap a while back (must have been on sale) and last year I sewed up some bags to cover my new blueberry plants during the winter, draping them over inverted tomato cages that were held down with tent pegs. See, now I'm talking about blueberry plants... there goes the neighborhood