White wisteria is a stunning flowering vine known for its cascades of fragrant white blooms in spring. With its vining habit and showy flowers, wisteria is a great choice for gardens looking to add vertical interest along fences, arbors, and pergolas.
When shopping for white wisteria plants for sale, you’ll find many varieties to choose from Here is an overview of some of the most popular white wisteria plants available from online nurseries and garden centers.
White Japanese Wisteria
One of the most popular types of white wisteria is the Japanese white wisteria scientifically known as Wisteria floribunda ‘Alba’. This deciduous woody vine is a cultivar of the Japanese wisteria species native to Japan Korea, and China.
The Japanese white wisteria is an extremely vigorous grower It can reach up to 30 feet in height and spread up to 24 feet wide, The vines wrap clockwise around any structures
This wisteria variety is loved for its stunning chains of fragrant, pea-like white flowers. The flowers bloom in 6 to 12 inch cascading clusters in spring. They emerge from pink buds, providing nice contrast with the white blooms. The flowers are also subtly fragrant with a sweet scent.
Japanese white wisteria thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires little water once established. It prefers moist, fertile, well-draining soil but is adaptable to various soil conditions. This fast growing vine grows at a rate of 24 inches per year.
Hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, the Japanese white wisteria is long-lived and low maintenance. It does require pruning twice a year to keep its rapid growth under control and encourage fuller blooms.
Amethyst Falls White Wisteria
Amethyst Falls is a popular dwarf variety of white flowering wisteria. It was bred as a more compact alternative to the aggressively spreading Japanese and Chinese wisteria vines.
This variety was developed by North Carolina State University to reach only 8 to 12 feet in height. It also grows at about a third of the rate of Chinese or Japanese wisteria.
Amethyst Falls wisteria produces abundant elongated clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer. The vines wrap counter-clockwise around any structures. As a bonus, the flowers do not produce seed pods after blooming.
This compact wisteria variety thrives in full to partial sun and moist, well-draining soil. Once established, it has good drought tolerance. Hardy in zones 5 to 9, it adapts well to various soil conditions including clay or sandy soils.
The Amethyst Falls white wisteria is ideal for smaller spaces since it does not overtake structures. It also requires less frequent pruning to keep its tidy form.
White Kentucky Wisteria
Native to the southeastern United States, the white Kentucky wisteria is a hardy variety with subtly fragrant white blooms. Its scientific name is Wisteria macrostachya ‘Clara Mack’.
This vine reaches 15 to 25 feet tall and up to 6 to 10 feet wide. It produces 6 to 12 inch hanging sprays of white pea-like flowers in late spring to early summer. The twining vines wrap clockwise around structures.
The white Kentucky wisteria thrives in moist, well-drained soil and full sun for optimal flowering. This native vine is heat and humidity tolerant and hardy in zones 5 to 9.
A key advantage of the white Kentucky wisteria is that it does not spread aggressively like Chinese or Japanese wisteria. It also blooms at a younger age than other wisteria varieties.
Snow Showers White Wisteria
Snow Showers is a lovely white flowering wisteria cultivar with abundant blooms and a sweet fragrance. Its scientific name is Wisteria macrostachya ‘Betty Matthews’.
This variety reaches 15 to 25 feet tall and up to 10 feet wide. It displays elegant chains of white flowers hanging up to 18 inches long in late spring. The blooms emerge from soft pink buds, providing nice contrast against the pure white flowers.
Snow Showers wisteria grows in zones 5 to 9 and does best in full sun and moist, fertile soil. This moderately growing vine wraps its branches clockwise around structures.
A key advantage is that Snow Showers wisteria starts blooming at a younger age than many other varieties. It also reblooms intermittently throughout the summer to extend the floral display.
Tips for Growing White Wisteria Vines
Here are some top tips for successfully growing white wisteria vines:
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Plant in full sun for optimal flowering. Wisteria will tolerate partial shade but produces fewer blooms.
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Provide sturdy structures for the vines to climb like pergolas, arbors, and trellises. Install these structures at planting time.
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Water 1 to 2 times per week until established, then taper off. Mature plants are quite drought tolerant.
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Fertilize in early spring with a slow release fertilizer to support flowering and growth.
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Prune twice a year – in winter and after flowering. Cut back wayward shoots and thin congested growth.
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Train vines as needed to climb structures and prevent tangling. Pinch back shoot tips during the growing season.
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Be patient! Wisteria can take 3 to 5 years after planting to begin flowering. But once mature, they put on an incredible floral display.
Where to Buy White Wisteria Plants Online
Many online nurseries sell a wide selection of white wisteria plants. When ordering online, search for growers that ship bareroot or containerized vines depending on the time of year.
Some top options for buying white wisteria plants online include:
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Wilson Bros Gardens – Offers the Amethyst Falls, Snow Showers, and White Japanese wisteria varieties in 3, 5, or 7 gallon pots. All vines ship bareroot or ready to plant.
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Monrovia – Sells the White Japanese wisteria in 3 gallon containers. Monrovia plants are grown in custom pots to avoid transplant shock.
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Nature Hills Nursery – Carries the Clara Mack and White Japanese wisteria varieties in 2 or 5 gallon pots. Vines ship at proper planting times.
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The Home Depot – Provides the Japanese White Flowering wisteria in 2.5 quart containers. Home Depot has free shipping on all live plants and trees.
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Brighter Blooms – Sells the Snow Showers and White Japanese wisteria varieties in 3 gallon pots. Price includes free shipping.
Enhance Your Garden With White Wisteria Vines
With their showy floral displays, sweet fragrance, and rapid growth – white wisteria vines are a great way to add vertical interest and charm to any garden. They look beautiful training up arbors, fences, and pergolas to create floral ceilings and walls with cascading white blooms.
Be sure to shop white wisteria varieties suitable for your growing zone. Then plant your vine in a spot with ample room to grow. Provide sturdy structures for support. With proper care, your white wisterias will thrive and delight your garden for years to come.
What is Wisteria ‘White’?
Wisteria White (Wisteria sinensis White) is a stunning deciduous vine with cascading clusters of fragrant white flowers. It is a beautiful addition to any garden or landscape.
How do I propagate Wisteria ‘White’?
Wisteria White can be propagated through softwood cuttings or layering. Softwood cuttings should be taken in early summer and rooted in a well-draining potting mix. Layering involves bending a lower branch to the ground and covering it with soil to encourage root growth.
How to get wonderful Wisteria: Buying, planting, pruning and care tips | The RHS
FAQ
Which is the best white wisteria?
A wonderful white flowering Wisteria, Wisteria floribunda ‘Alba’ is a really beautiful alternative to the usual flower colours.
How fast does white wisteria grow?
Wisterias are rapid growers and can shoot up 10 feet or more in a single growing season.
What is the best month to plant wisteria?
- Before you get started. Choosing a Wisteria. …
- Planting. Planting of wisteria is best done between October and April. …
- Ongoing care. Watering. …
- Pruning and training. Wisteria has a reputation for being difficult to prune but this isn’t the case. …
- Propagating. …
- Problems.
Where should you not plant wisteria?
Wisteria vines will work their way into any crook or cranny they can reach, so it’s advised not to plant them too near your home. Wisteria flowers are beautifully fragrant, providing a feast for the senses.