Wisteria frutescens

Common Name:
American wisteria
Plant Type:
Deciduous vine
Family:
Fabaceae (The Pea Family)
Geographic Origin:
Eastern United States
California Native?:
No

Plant Size:
20 feet+
Landscape/Garden Uses:
walls and fences
Flowering Season:
Summer

Flower Color:
Lavender blue
Exposure:
Full sun
Soils:
Well-drained soil

Suggested Irrigation:
Moderate to occasional watering
Estimated Hardiness:
Hardy to 0 degrees F. or less

This eastern U.S. native is vigorous and leafy. Flower clusters appear in summer rather than in spring as is typical of the more familiar wisterias. The flower clusters are usually under 4 inches long but crowded with many rather large, lightly fragrant flowers. These are lavender to violet in color in the typical form. Sun, reasonably well drained soil, moderate watering during active growth. It will tolerate a surprising degree of summer drought. Hardy to 0 degrees F or below.