Wisteria floribunda Seeds | Japanese Wisteria
LATIN NAME: Wisteria floribunda
COMMON NAME: Japanese Wisteria
Plant Profile
Wisteria floribunda, commonly known as Japanese Wisteria, is a vigorous, twining, deciduous climber in the pea family (Fabaceae), native to Japan. The Japanese wisteria is great blue curtain of old wall, and long racemes of pea-flowers hang down like ropes of the rain. Climber is a fine, bold presence of old wall, pergola and strong arbour. It is a climber of open, sunny, deep, well-drained ground. Each of these traits is modest on its own; together they make a garden-worthy plant.
Science & Biotechnology
Wisteria floribunda sits in the pea family, a group that keeps botanists, horticulturists and plant breeders busy with questions of classification, adaptation and ornamental potential. In practice, its long garden history means the grower inherits a plant of known and dependable habits.
Uses & Benefits
Japanese Wisteria works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. The Japanese wisteria is a fine, bold climber of old wall and the pergola. It has been written up in horticultural papers for blue racemes and vigorous ways, and it is a fine, long-lived climber of open, sunny, deep, well-drained garden. The Japanese wisteria is one of great flowering climbers of old garden, and long racemes of violet-blue flowers hang like ropes of the rain. Mature plants need little attention in a well-chosen position.
Wisteria is a cascade of scented spring glory; its seeds and pods are toxic, so it is a vine to train and admire, never to taste.
Growing from Seed
Japanese Wisteria grows readily from seed. Scatter the seed evenly over a loose seed compost, cover to no more than its own depth, and keep the pot moist and bright. Once the seedlings have made true leaves, pot them on individually and plant out when they are sturdy and conditions are right.
Our Take
Among the Wisteria group, it is one of the more distinctive species in cultivation. Native to japan, it is naturally at home where garden conditions resemble its wild habitat. Careful watering early on is rewarded by toughness at maturity.
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