Collection of 2 Chinese Wisterias

A fantastic duo of Chinese Wisterias that brings together two beautiful forms of the indomitable Wisteria sinensis: the first with white flowers and the other with mauve-blue flowers. Accustomed to open spaces, these two lianas offer a rare visual and olfactory spectacle in April-May. Their perfectly matched pastel-toned clusters blend in a heavy floral fragrance. Wisterias spontaneously and voluptuously wrap their long, voluble stems around grids, fences, pergolas, and arbours. These long green and flexible tendrils become such powerful arms over time that they are capable, on very old subjects, of lifting the structure that guided their first steps. Cherish Wisterias, they deserve it for their extraordinary beauty, their unreasonable vigor, their very accommodating nature, and their excellent resistance to the coldest temperatures.

This duo comprises a Chinese Wisteria Rose plant (Alba variety) and a classic Chinese Blue Wisteria plant (Wisteria sinensis).

The Chinese Wisteria, Wisteria sinensis in Latin, is a climbing plant with significant development and rapid growth belonging to the large family of legumes, like clover, alfalfa, and lupins. It is native to the humid forests of China and was introduced to Europe in 1816. Its long voluble stems, reaching 10 metres, lignify with age. Sometimes a little slow to establish itself, it is a robust plant, perfectly resistant to cold, not very demanding in terms of soil (although it fears excessive active limestone), capable of growing in poor and dry soils in summer if they are deep.

The Chinese Wisteria stems can easily reach 9 metres long and naturally twist around supports counterclockwise. The growth of new shoots is very rapid, reaching several metres in a single season in cool soil. The main flowering occurs in April-May, earlier or later depending on the climate, on relatively young grafted plants. It develops on the slightly leafy branches located near the lignified main stems. Clusters of papilionaceous flowers, 30 to 60 cm long, emit a strong honey scent in calm weather. They open from the base to the tip of the cluster. The plant slightly re-blooms during the summer. Hanging pods, flat and green, turn brown when ripe. Bronze young leaves appear at the end of flowering and then turn a light green colour. They are 15 to 20 cm long and divided into 4 to 6 pairs of rounded leaflets, giving the foliage a light appearance. Exceptionally long-lasting, the Chinese Wisteria can live well over 50 years. Its flowering is nectar-rich and honey-producing. The deciduous foliage turns a beautiful yellow colour in autumn before falling.

The Chinese Wisteria is the epitome of a romantic plant. A queen in the realm of climbing plants, capable of enhancing a facade or structure, no matter how modest. When two varieties of Wisteria meet and intertwine, the spectacle becomes almost unreal. Particularly useful for covering a wall or hiding an unsightly fence, this duo wraps itself around a trellis without restraint if allowed, and these two Wisterias tend to suffocate surrounding plants. They prefer a solitary location, in full sun or partial shade in hot climates. Or, if you have enough space, associate them with honeysuckles that are as powerful as they are, such as Lonicera (x) delavayi, which is evergreen and has a fragrant yellow summer flowering.

However, be patient: depending on the growing conditions, the first flowering of Wisteria may not appear until 2 to 3 years.