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Wisteria

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Nothing indicates the start of Spring more than the sweet smell and cascading perennial blooms of Wisterias (Wisteria spp.). Their massive array of flowers that seem to fall from the sky are a dream for any gardener. Loved by Monet and a large part of his garden, you can grow your own Wisteria in your backyard or even in a small bonsai pot if you choose.

How to grow wisteria in a garden

  1. Choose a well-drained spot in the garden that attracts full sun to part shade.
  2. Enrich the soil in the plating bed with some compost and Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser before planting.
  3. Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots.
  4. Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed.  Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.
  5. Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, sugarcane or pea straw, keeping it away from the base of the plant.
  6. Feed in spring and autumn with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.
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How to grow wisteria in a pot

  1. Choose a pot at least 600 mm wide. Position in full sun to part shade and fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.
  2. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots.
  3. Position in hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.
  4. Feed in spring and autumn with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.
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Growing tips

  • Wisterias are very fast growing climbers and require plenty of pruning to keep under control.
  • Ensure that you provide the plant with plenty of support as it won’t cling to objects by itself, making sure that the support is sturdy enough to hold the plant.
  • Great for the cooler regions as they love and tolerate frosts up to -15°C.
  • This is one plant that tends to provide you with a better show the less care you give it, so giving it a light feed with some Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser in Spring and Autumn and avoiding giving it too much water will help boost the flower production in the Spring.
  • Take care when planting out as the root system can sucker and become weedy in the garden if not controlled.
  • Wisterias can also be grown and pruned as bonsai plants for the small space gardener.
  • The two main species available in Australia are:
  •        Chinese Wisteria (W. sinensis) This species is most commonly seen in the warmer temperate areas and produces a lovely array of blue flowers in early spring.
  •         Japanese Wisteria (W. floribunda)  The Japanese Wisterias love the cooler regions and perform best when they are exposed to heavy frosts. They are well known and the ones that are often pictured in Japanese gardens in the spring. They are available in an array of flower colours from pink, purple to white and produce more flowers than that of the Chinese species.

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