Wisteria GRANDE DIVA BARBARA

The Wisteria Grande Diva® Barbara, like the other Diva wisterias, is a hybrid of W. brachybotrys (formerly W. venusta) that combines their qualities. These varieties are known for their quick flowering, which occurs in the early years of cultivation. They flower harmoniously and uniformly throughout their entire height and do not damage their support. Much less vigorous than its Chinese and Japanese cousins, the 'Diva' wisteria can easily be kept to a smaller size through pruning, making it suitable for small gardens or even large pots on the terrace. This 'Barbara' variety offers a mass of lavender and white bicoloured, fragrant flowers in spring, which almost conceal its young bronze foliage.

Wisteria Grande Diva® Barbara 'MinwiKB25' cov is derived from, among others, a Japanese species of modest stature called the Silky or Graceful Wisteria. It is a French creation dating back to 2007, selected in Anjou by Minier nurseries. It is a small deciduous vine, with foliage appearing in spring and falling in autumn. As an adult, it will reach a height of between 3m and 10m depending on how it is pruned and whether it is grown in the ground or in a container. Its twining stems bear leaves divided into 12 ovate leaflets, measuring 4 to 7cm long. These stems twine from left to right (dextrorse) on sturdy supports. The abundant flowering takes place in May-June, at the same time as the young foliage unfolds, tinged with bronze caramel. It takes the form of pendulous clusters, 15-20cm long, with fragrant, brightly coloured papilionaceous flowers, combining lavender mauve petals with white petals. Hardy down to at least -20°C, the Grande Diva Barbara wisteria is easy to grow in any loose and deep, moist to occasionally dry soil. This variety has a very long lifespan, lasting over 100 years.

The 'Grande Diva Barbara' wisteria is perfect for covering a wall, railing, pergola, arbour, or porch in a romantic garden, even of a small size. While wisteria branches are usually capable of twisting even the strongest grids, this variety is much more "respectful" of its supports. It can also be planted in a large container on a balcony or terrace. It pairs well with a Mayleen montana clematis, a Purpurea Plena Elegans clematis, or perennial peas.