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Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn (Garrison, TX)
Wisteria frutescens (L.) Poir.
American wisteria, Texas wisteria, Kentucky wisteria
Fabaceae (Pea Family)
USDA Symbol: WIFR
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Vine
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Inflorescence: Raceme
Fruit Type: Legume
Size Notes: 25-30
Leaf Color: Green
Flower Size: 4 to 6 inch flower clusters
Fruit Length: 2 to 4 inch pod
Fruit Color: Brown
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , Blue , Purple , VioletBloom 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 , WVNative 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: MediumLight 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:|
Marine Blue (Leptotes marina)  Larval Host |
Propagation
Propagation Material: Seeds , Softwood CuttingsDescription: Cuttings best, because can take years to bloom from seed.
Commercially Avail: yes
PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants
Wisteria frutescens (American wisteria) is a PlantWise native alternative for: Wisteria floribunda (Japanese wisteria)
Wisteria sinensis (Chinese wisteria)
Wisteria sinensis (Chinese wisteria)
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Question: I am looking for something to hide a 6' wood fence that will grow in almost full shade. I have an area approx 2 feet wide to plant in. Since the fence and planting areas are stepped -- about 8 feet for each section, it may be neat to plant a different complimentary plant in each section. I would love them to be evergreen and flowering..but am open to suggestions. What do you recommend? Also, when I bought the house, there was star jasmine planted in small (1 foot tall) pots alongside a shaded garage wall with a trellis behind them. They are not doing well. Do you think they need more sun, a larger pot (or to be put in the ground), or a different plant? Thank you!!
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From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Bibliography
Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski and Wasowski
* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Wisteria frutescens in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Wisteria frutescens in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Wisteria frutescens
Metadata
Record Modified: 2009-02-12Research By: NPC, GAP
