Wisteria frutescens Amethyst Falls

The Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls' is a recent variety of Wisteria, interesting for its moderate growth and its willingness to flower even at a very young age. This pretty climber blooms abundantly in spring, then again in successive waves from late summer to autumn. Its flower clusters, denser and more stocky than those of its Chinese cousin, are a beautiful amethyst mauve shade but also slightly less fragrant. Wisterias spontaneously and voluptuously wrap their long voluble stems around grids, fences, arbors, and pergolas. 'Amethyst Falls', like a concentrated wisteria, is easier to integrate into small spaces. It will delight impatient gardeners who can admire its beautiful flowering often from the first year onwards. 

The American Wisteria,  Wisteria frutescens in Latin, is a woody climbing plant belonging to the large family of legumes, just like clover, alfalfa, and lupins. It is native to the humid forests and banks of waterways in the southeastern United States, from Virginia to Texas, from Florida in the south to New York. Its long voluble stems, which are smaller than those of Chinese Wisteria, lignify with age. It is a perfectly cold-resistant plant, not 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 hybrid variety 'Amethyst Falls' distinguishes itself by its more compact growth, longer and slightly scented flower clusters. Its stems, which reach 4 to 5 metres (13 to 16 feet), naturally turn around supports in a counterclockwise direction. The growth of new shoots is very fast, about 1 to 2 metres (3 to 7 feet) in one season in cool soil. The main flowering of this variety takes place in May-June, more or less early depending on the climate, on very young plants. It develops on almost naked branches located near the lignified main stems. Clusters 15-20 cm (6-8in) long, where small mauve papilionaceous flowers are tightly packed, emit a light fragrance in calm weather. They open from the base to the tip of the cluster. The plant easily reblooms several times until autumn if pruned well. The young bronze leaves appear at the end of flowering and then turn a light green color. They are 10 to 30 cm (4 to 12in) long and divided into 9 to 15 rounded leaflets, giving the foliage a light appearance. Very durable, Wisteria 'Amethyst Falls' can live well over 50 years. This variety is propagated by cuttings, unlike most other wisterias, which are usually grafted.

Wisteria 'Amethyst Falls' is the epitome of a romantic plant. But this queen of climbers will not be satisfied with just a few linear metres to showcase its splendour. Less imposing than its Chinese cousins, it is still capable of enhancing a facade or any small structure, no matter how modest. This lively plant will often outlive the person who planted it. Its compact silhouette will dress up a wall or cover an unsightly fence. It will wrap itself around a grid or trellis without restraint if left to its own devices and may tend to suffocate surrounding plants. Prefer a solitary position for it, in full sun or partial shade in a warm climate. Or associate it with honeysuckles, passionflowers, and clematis. 'Amethyst Falls' is a variety highly appreciated by bonsai enthusiasts. It can easily be trained as a small tree, transforming into a fountain of mauve clusters in spring.