photo of Wisteria frutescens

Wisteria frutescens

American Wisteria

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American Wisteria is a woody vine featuring fragrant, lilac-purple flowers, which bloom June-August. Full sun is needed for optimum flowering. The...

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Description:

American Wisteria is a woody vine featuring fragrant, lilac-purple flowers, which bloom June-August. Full sun is needed for optimum flowering. The flowers provide an attractive nectar source for native bees. American Wisteria is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Marine Blue (Leptotes marina) and Zarucco Duskywing (Erynnis zarucco). It requires regular pruning to maintain control; however, it is not as aggressive as the non-native, invasive Wisteria species. American Wisteria is an excellent alternative to Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) and Japanese Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda), both invasive. Train American Wisteria to grow on your trellis, arbor, climbing wall, or around fences in your yard.

Plant Details:

Plant Type: Vine

New Jersey Native: No

Bloom Times: Late Spring to Early Summer, Summer

Bloom Colors: Purple

Deer Resistance: Some

Attracts Pollinators and Wildlife: Bees and Other Pollinators, Butterflies

Salt Tolerance: Low to None

Hardiness Zone: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b

Physiographic Region: All Regions in NJ

Soil Characteristics

Soil Type: Loam, Organic, Sandy, Clay

Soil Moisture: Dry

Soil pH: Slightly Acidic, Neutral

Light Needs of Plant

Optimal Light: Full Sun

Light Range: Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water Needs of Plant

Soil Moisture: Dry

Drought Tolerance: Low

Size and Growth Rate

Height: 10 - 30 ft

Spread: 4 - 8 ft

Growth Rate: Fast