Wisteria is one of the most beautiful flowering vines you can grow in your garden. When healthy and happy, it erupts into cascades of sweetly fragrant blooms in spring and early summer. But many gardeners get frustrated when their wisteria refuses to bloom well. Understanding the blooming habits of this gorgeous vine is key to getting the most out of it.
When to Expect Wisteria Blooms
Wisteria is a deciduous woody vine that blooms on new growth formed the previous season This means the flower buds are set in the fall to bloom the following spring and summer Blooming times vary slightly depending on the wisteria species
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Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) blooms in spring before the leaves emerge, typically in April.
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Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) also blooms before the leaves in spring, usually April to May.
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American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) hits peak bloom in early to mid summer, around June to August.
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Kentucky wisteria (Wisteria macrostachya) blooms in early to mid summer as well, generally June to July.
Exact bloom times can vary depending on cultivar and climate. Tracking your specific plant will give you the best sense of its schedule.
How Often Wisteria Blooms Each Year
Most wisteria varieties only bloom once a year on growth from the prior season. But some American and Kentucky wisteria cultivars rebloom in summer on new growth, providing a second or even third flush of flowers. Popular repeat bloomers include:
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‘Blue Moon’ – Up to 3 blooms per year
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‘Aunt Dee’ – Up to 3 blooms per year
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‘Amethyst Falls’ – Up to 2 blooms per year
Young wisteria vines typically take 2-3 years to begin flowering after planting. Starting wisteria from seed can take a decade or longer for those first blooms!
Why Your Established Wisteria Won’t Bloom
If your mature wisteria isn’t blooming well, look for these common issues:
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Insufficient sunlight – Needs at least 6 hours of direct sun daily.
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Too young – Wait 2-3 years after planting for first blooms.
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Excess fertilizer – Can promote leaves over flowers.
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Improper pruning – Both under and overpruning can limit blooms.
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Water stress – Drought causes bud drop; water deeply once a week.
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Old, congested vines – Thinning out old growth can help.
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Extreme cold – Flower buds damaged by severe winter cold.
Encouraging More Wisteria Blooms
Here are some tips for maximizing your wisteria’s flowers:
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Plant in full sun – At least 6 hours of direct sun per day.
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Add strong support – A trellis, arbor, or pergola for vines to climb.
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Water weekly – Deep watering prevents drought stress.
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Well-draining soil – Avoid soggy soil.
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Light fertilization – Use a low nitrogen, high potassium fertilizer.
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Patience – Wait for young vines to mature over 2-3 years.
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Prune properly – Prune in summer and again in winter each year.
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Select reblooming varieties – Such as ‘Blue Moon’ or ‘Amethyst Falls’.
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Thin congested vines – Open up air circulation and light penetration.
With proper care, most wisteria vines will reward you with stunning blooms once a year. But choose the right cultivar and provide ideal growing conditions, and you may just get a bonus bloom or two!
Is Wisteria an Invasive Plant?
Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) and Japanese wisteria (W. floribunda) are not native to North America and are considered invasive species in some states. The native wisteria species, American wisteria (W. frutescens) and Kentucky wisteria (W. macrostachya), are great alternatives to the Asian species, so if you’re planning on adding a new wisteria to your garden, we suggest that you go with one of the North American species.
Wondering how to tell the difference between the Asian and North American species? Asian wisteria plants are aggressive growers with fuzzy seed pods, while North American wisteria plants are not quite as aggressive in their growing habits and have smooth seed pods and fruits, as well as more-or-less cylindrical, bean-shaped seeds. Another difference is that American and Kentucky wisteria’s flowers appear after the plant has leafed out in the late spring, whereas the Chinese wisteria’s blooms appear before its foliage. Read Next
When to Plant Wisteria
- Plant in the spring or fall while the plant is dormant.
- Wisteria can be grown from seed, but those grown from seed often take quite a few years to reach maturity and produce flowers. It’s recommended to purchase established wisteria plants or start from a cutting.
How long does it take for a wisteria to bloom?
FAQ
Will wisteria bloom more than once?
Remember, Wisteria is almost indestructible! It is possible to coax a Wisteria into blooming more than once in a season. Late in the spring or early in the summer you can prune back the rampant growing shoots which will sometimes trigger the plant to create additional blossoms.
How do you keep wisteria blooming all summer?
Another factor in having a successfully blooming wisteria is available sunlight–it needs plenty of it. Pruning in early summer and again in late winter can encourage blooming. You also probably want to keep your wisteria pruned, especially if it is one of the non-natives, because they tend to “devour” fences.
How many years does it take for wisteria to bloom?
Wisterias are slow to mature and may not begin flowering until three to five years after planting.
How do I get my wisteria to bloom again?
In summer, about two months or so after flowering, cut back most of this year’s side shoots to 5-6 buds. In winter, cut these same branches back even farther to 2-3 buds of their base. This will help produce the coming season’s flowers.
How often do Wisteria Bloom?
When they bloom, they only show up once a year, every three weeks to two months. However, special wisteria cultivars are known to bloom two to three times in a season. Once your wisteria has been established, it will likely only bloom once a year.
Is Wisteria a flowering vine?
Wisteria is one of the most stunning flowering vines you can grow. When it erupts into bloom in springtime, cascading flowers in shades of purple, pink, blue, or white create a spectacular floral display. However, many gardeners get frustrated when their wisteria refuses to bloom or only blooms sparsely.
When will Wisteria bloom again?
In some cases, they’ll bloom around August again but with smaller, weaker flowers. While wisteria is rapidly growing, new plants won’t bloom for 3–5 years. By ensuring the plant has the right amount of sunlight, water, and nutrients, you can encourage your plant to bloom as soon as 2 years after planting.
How long does Wisteria take to grow?
Growing wisteria demands a patient gardener. Unlike some plants, it takes years for wisteria to reach its full blooming potential. In its early years, you might find your wisteria more focused on growing than flowering. This slow start is a test of patience, rewarding you with magnificent clusters of flowers once maturity is achieved.
When should Wisteria be planted?
Wisteria should be planted in the spring or fall while the vines are dormant. It’s recommended to use a cutting or buy established plants because growing from wisteria can take several years to yield blooms. Location is important, too. Wisteria can be considered invasive and quickly overtake nearby structures.
How do you know if wisteria is flowering?
For mature wisteria, you can tell that it is going to flower once tendrils start to grow longer. Eventually, these tendrils will develop into purple flower clusters. Sometimes, these flower clusters will be sparse, especially in the first few years of flowering.