Wisteria In All Her Glory

One of my favorite plants in May bloom is the majestic Wisteria. I call her majestic because she can be a beast of a plant. They have such a vigorous growth habit that they can literally take down a side of a wall or building if you have not carefully pruned and watched how it grows. I have 2 different varieties-the Chinese Wisteria and Amethyst Falls Wisteria

My first and favorite is on the left of the above pic (if you can discern the difference). It's a Chinese Wisteria that I lifted from my great-grandmother Mable's yard years ago and it has been transplanted 3 times and I can't believe I still have it. It differs from the other one by 1) not being as lush of a plant and 2) the pendulous florets are twice as long. It has a wonderful frangrance that trails out of it that is quite different as well. And of course it's so special because of the source of where it came.

The second variety Amethyst Falls Wisteria is really a great grower. She never disappoints in her blooming in the spring. Last year I cut her way back and she is loaded in blooms (full right side). This variety was purchased at a big box store and every year I see them numerous times so it is definetly something I recommend for a climber in your garden.

Some people have tried to grown them from seed but I have always heard they are difficult to bloom from seed or never bloom. I had a friend that bought an already growing plant and she grew it huge and it never bloomed. So my advice for you if you so choose to purchase this grand plant is to make sure you purchase it while in bloom or see evidence it will or has bloomed. Seriously there is nothing more disappointing than having a plant you are so excited to see bloom-and then it never does.

I just wish the flowers lasted longer for both of them. They still make a fun addition to an arrangement no matter how long they last. Plus, you get that fragrance-some will love and some will hate and sneeze. I love and sneeze!. Ha! Ha! See you next time!