Duo of exceptional Japanese Wisterias

A pair of exceptional Japanese Wisterias with their inflorescences, which can reach or exceed 1m in length. It brings together two spectacular forms of Wisteria floribunda: the first with white flowers, and the other with mauve-violet flowers, both blooming together in May, while the young leaves unfold. Due to their size, as well as their layered arrangement on the vegetation, hanging in large, slightly fragrant curtains, the flower clusters give these two vines an unparalleled elegance. They spontaneously and voluptuously wrap their long voluble stems around trellises, fences, pergolas, and arbors. Given their growth, these two giants are best suited for large gardens.

This pair consists of a Japanese Wisteria Alba plant (Wisteria floribunda Alba) and a Macrobotrys Wisteria plant (Wisteria floribunda Macrobotrys).

The floribunda wisteria, Wisteria floribunda (or multijuga) in Latin, is a climbing plant with large growth and rapid growth belonging to the large family of legumes, just like clover, alfalfa, and lupins. It is native to the forests of Japan. Its long voluble stems, which can reach 8 to 10m in length, lignify with age. Sometimes a bit slow to establish, it is a robust plant, perfectly resistant to cold (-20°C), not very demanding in terms of soil (although it fears active limestone), capable of growing in poor and dry soils in summer if they are sufficiently deep.

The long stems of the Japanese wisteria turn spontaneously clockwise around supports. The growth of new shoots is very rapid, several meters in a season in cool soil. Flowering takes place in May, more or less early depending on the climate, on fairly young grafted plants. It develops on newly foliated branches located near the main lignified stems. Clusters of loose, papilionaceous flowers, at least 1m long, spread a light floral fragrance in calm weather. White in the Longissima Alba variety, they are mauve-lilac in 'Macrobotrys'. They open successively along the cluster, from the base to the top. After the flowers, pendant, flat, green pods appear, turning brown when ripe. Bronze young leaves appear at the end of flowering and then turn a light green color. They are divided into 13 to 19 ovate and tapered leaflets, giving the foliage a light appearance. Very long-lasting, Wisteria can live well over 50 years. Its flowering is nectar-rich and honey-producing. The deciduous foliage turns a beautiful yellow color in autumn, before falling.

Wisteria is the ultimate 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 with very long clusters intertwine, the spectacle becomes simply grandiose. Particularly useful for dressing up a large, somewhat dull wall or covering an unsightly fence, this pair wraps around a trellis or large fence without restraint if allowed. And these two wisterias tend to smother surrounding plants. Preferably, choose a solitary location for them, in full sun or partial shade in a hot climate. Or, if you have enough space, associate them with plants as powerful as they are: the Paul's Himalayan Musk rose, the Tetrarose montana clematis, the Fallopia aubertii...

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