Wisteria Question

[shelli]

Sorry I know its more a gardening question however,

Has anyone got Wisteria climbing up their property and if so can you tell me at what rate it grows ?

Many thanks

Shelli

 

[Nemesis]

Yes
Rapidly
Should be pruned twice a year

 

[shelli]

Thanks Nem - so if i get an 18 inch specimen it shouldn't look pathetic for too many years? - i need to be careful what i allow to grow up the house wall cos it's white and will stand out

 

[Nemesis]

If I hadn't inherited one, I wouldn't plant one.

Rampant, the stems grow thick, and takes too much looking after! Repainting the house could prove complicated in future.

Also - in flower for not a lot of the year, really.

Clematis is a darned sight easier!

 

[Philip_I]

I planted one that was 18 inches three years ago at the base of a pergola. It is now all the way up the 8 foot posts and and at least 5-6 feet across the top.

 

[Nemesis]

Ours is fond of the telephone wire and the chimney pots.

It should have possibly been better house trained when young...

 

[Lime]

Wisteria looks nice on other peoples' property.
It grows fast and gets top heavy, is rather messy, is woody and stiff so doesn't come away from the wall easily for decorating and has a short flowering season.
Suggest to your neighbour that they get one.

 

[shelli]

Thanks all

crumbs - thought they were slower growing than that - My mothers one has never really done anything - perhaps its a dwarf variety for bungalows or similar!!

will have to persuade OH that OS painting will be a nightmare - he has his heart set on it

 

[Moo]

They don't have to be trained against a house, you know. Just up the road from us there is a "hedge" of wisterias outside a lovely mediaeval church. The pavement runs alongside them and the (scented) flowers are just about head height.
As far as I can work out, they were trained up stout stakes and well disciplined when young (they still are!). So it looks as though your OH can have his heart's desire.

 

[Jon Maine]

We put a 8 foot high specimin in 2 years ago, almost exactly. It is now 18 foot high. So say 4 or 5 feet a year easily if the conditions are correct.

 

[pianoredwood73]

We've got a stunner covering most of the front of the house and there's also another big one like a bush near the front gate so no they don't have to be trained up the house. Best way to maximise flowering is to prune carefully, if you google it you'll get the 'rules' for this as they're quite specific. Hubby is the expert and not here hence vague post, but has done it how he's been advised and results are fab. Ours has been pruned quite hard and will have to be folded back as far as is poss next year when render is replaced with lime but we'll take the risk. We love it and hope it'll survive.
Sarah

 

[skier-hughes]

plus good feeding at the appropriate times.

 

[biffvernon]

I love wisteria. I've tried growing it but they just die.

 

[Penners]

Shelli - wisteria can be highly variable in its habits, depending on its position, its aspect, the soil, the seasons and so on. It needs to be planted into good loamy soil and kept well fed and watered, if it's going to grow at the best speed. Don't be disheartened if in its first year it doesn't seem to do much. A lot of people plant them at the base of a wall, but this can be a poor location - starved soil and very little moisture.

Its flowering can also be highly unpredictable. We've had wisterias that are apparently planted in an ideal situation, but have taken many years to flower for the first time. We currently have one that's just seeing its third spring, and already has a dozen or so racenes on it.

 

[Nemesis]

Be warned though = they can grow very thick stems, as thick as a tree, and next to the house wall may not be the best place for this and the allied root system.

 

[Nemesis]

Small piece from Dan Pearson in today's Observer about wisteria.

Will post more tomorrow.

 

[Nemesis]

Here it is:

http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/experts/danpearson/0,,1796677,00.html

 

[MdB]

This is what you want around the front door. Pity it is all about to be cut down....

 

[Penners]

Spectacular clematis! is that The President?

 

[MdB]

Spectacular clematis! is that The President?

Don't be silly. This is the President...

(actually, I have no idea but it does appear that you are correct)