[janeheritage]

We have a youngish wisteria (I reckon maybe 15 years old). It was uncared for when we moved in nearly 3 years ago but I have pruned it carefully since and this year it is flowering well.

BUT the really old wisterias down in the village flower on bare wood, before the leaves spring. Ours has flowers and leaves at the same time - not so impressive. Does anyone know any tricks to get it to flower before the leaves burst?

Thanks!

[mumofstig]

Did you summer and winter prune?

[janeheritage]

Yes, as per the book - took out all the long whippy growths in late July/August and then reduced to 1 or 2 growth points on each spur in Jan/Feb. The flowering has improved 100%, it's just the leaves at the same time as the flowers that bothers me!

[catllar]

Perhaps your wisteria needs a feed to encourage flowers (would that be potash??) and  not a nitrogen-rich one which encourages leaves? Just a thought.

[chimaera]

Bear in mind that there are 2 main species of Wisteria used as garden plants, W. floribunda (from Japan) and W. sinensis (from China). One of these has flowers at the same time as leaves, the other has flowers first (can't remember which). They also spiral in opposite directions.

Charlie

[janeheritage]

By George, Charlie, I think you've got it!

Thank you very much for clearing this up for me. 

[HLS]

That's very useful for me, too.  I obviously have w. floribunda and the people round the corner must have w. sinensis.  Thanks!

[janeheritage]

I've even been able to identify the variety now I know what I'm looknig for: it's W Floribunda "Harlequin". The flowers are palest white with a yellow throat and a dark blue fall - see attached picture.

I didn't like it before and now I think it's pretty! What a worthwhile thread.

Thanks!