Cox, Paul
Wisteria frutescens (L.) Poir.
American wisteria, Texas wisteria, Kentucky wisteria
Fabaceae (Pea Family)
American wisteria is a high-climbing woody,
deciduous vine, 25-30 ft. long. Shiny, dark-green, pinnately
compound leaves bear 9-15 leaflets which are
opposite on the leaf
stem, with 1
leaflet at the tip. The flowers are in large, drooping clusters 6–9 inches long that appear after the plant has leafed out, a difference from the popular Asian species. The blooms only appear on new wood. Individual flowers are nearly 1 inch long and are lilac or bluish purple and quite fragrant. A brown, bean-like
pod persists until winter. This species is less aggressive than the similar Asian species.
American wisteria is often used as an ornamental planting and has probably escaped from cultivation in many locations. In Texas, the Dam B cultivar has blue flowers in racemes and flowers late May to June and sporadically throughout the summer and fall. A cultivar called Nivea has white flowers.
Image Gallery:
13 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Vine Leaf Retention: Deciduous Leaf Arrangement: Alternate Inflorescence: Raceme Size Notes: 25-30
Leaf: Green
Flower: Flowers in 4 to 6 inch flower clusters
Fruit: Brown 2 to 4 inch
pod Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , Blue , Purple , Violet
Bloom Time: May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Usually lavender blue in color, but occasionally white. Blooms only on new wood.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KY , LA , MD , MA , MI , MS , MO , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV
Native Distribution: Eastern US as far west as east Texas, Zones 5 to 8
Native Habitat: Moist or wet woods; river banks; upland thickets
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8) , Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Rich, moist to mesic, neutral to slightly acid soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay.
Conditions Comments: Prefers a good loamy soil in a sunny south or southwest facing position, sheltered from cold winds and from early morning sun on frosty mornings. Plants can become chlorotic on alkaline soils. Prefers a rich soil, but some gardeners feel too rich a soil results in too much leaf growth. Tolerates seasonal flooding.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: A lovely, aromatic Wisteria
native to eastern North American that is less aggressive and less damaging to buildings than the Asian species, but has equally lovely flowers. Can be trained on arbors, walls, and columns.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Marine Blue, Zarucco Duskywing, and skippers
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: High
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Wisteria frutescens is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Last Update: 2012-12-09
