Wisteria climbers

Wisteria sinensis 'Alba' on an 80cm clear stem is an elegant, compact addition to any garden, ideal for adding vertical interest with minimal space requirements. This stunning white-flowering wisteria showcases graceful, cascading racemes of pure white blooms in late spring, creating a mesmerizing display with a light, pleasant fragrance. The clear stem highlights its delicate beauty, providing a clean, structured appearance that enhances patios, terraces, or small garden beds. Its lush, green foliage emerges after the flowers, adding texture and color throughout the summer. Hardy and easy to care for, this wisteria thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an ideal choice for gardeners seeking elegance and sophistication in a manageable, space-saving form.

Wisteria brachybotrys ‘Golden Dragon’ is a striking and highly ornamental deciduous climber, prized for its luminous foliage and elegant floral display. A cultivated form of the Japanese silky wisteria, it combines the classic charm of wisteria with the added interest of golden-yellow leaves, making it an exceptional choice for decorative garden structures.

In spring, ‘Golden Dragon’ emerges with fresh foliage in vivid shades of yellow, often flushed with light green. This bright colouring persists into early summer, particularly in full sun, before gradually softening to a more lime-green tone as the season progresses. The leaves are pinnate, typically composed of 9–13 smooth, oval leaflets, creating a graceful, cascading effect when trained over pergolas, arches, or walls.

Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer, usually in May or June. Short, compact racemes of pea-like flowers are produced, typically 10–15 cm long. The blooms are a delicate violet-blue to lilac, often with a pale yellow or white marking, and are richly fragrant. Although the flower clusters are shorter than those of Chinese wisteria, they are produced in abundance and stand out beautifully against the golden foliage.

‘Golden Dragon’ is a twining climber with a moderate growth rate, generally reaching 6–8 metres when mature. It requires sturdy support and benefits from regular pruning to encourage flowering and maintain shape. Like other wisterias, it flowers best when grown in full sun and in fertile, well-drained soil.

Hardy throughout most of the UK, Wisteria brachybotrys ‘Golden Dragon’ is well suited to gardens seeking strong visual impact. Its combination of scented flowers, unusual foliage colour, and elegant habit makes it a distinctive and rewarding plant for both traditional and contemporary settings.

Wisteria floribunda 'Longissima Alba' is a stunning climbing shrub that belongs to the family Fabaceae. Also known as the Japanese wisteria, this plant is highly prized for its gorgeous, cascading clusters of fragrant, white flowers that bloom in spring and early summer.

The 'Longissima Alba' variety is particularly noted for its long, pendulous flower clusters, which can reach up to 3 feet in length. The flowers are delicately scented and attract a variety of pollinators, including butterflies and bees.

The foliage of this plant is also attractive, with long, narrow leaves that emerge in a bronze hue before maturing to a bright green color. In fall, the leaves turn a lovely shade of yellow before dropping for the winter.

As a climbing shrub, Wisteria floribunda 'Longissima Alba' is ideal for training onto trellises, walls, or pergolas, where its cascading flowers can be fully appreciated. It is a vigorous grower and can reach heights of up to 30 feet if left unpruned.

Overall, this beautiful and fragrant climbing shrub is an excellent addition to any garden or landscape, providing a stunning display of flowers and foliage throughout the growing season.

Wisteria floribunda ‘Ito Koku Riu’ is a dramatic and highly ornamental deciduous climber, celebrated for its exceptionally long flower racemes and rich colouring. A Japanese cultivar of the Japanese wisteria, it is particularly admired for the way its flowers open progressively from the base to the tip, extending the flowering display over several weeks.

In spring, fresh green, pinnate leaves emerge, each composed of 13–19 narrow, smooth-edged leaflets. The foliage is elegant and finely textured, providing a soft, flowing framework that complements the plant’s pendulous flowers. As the season advances, the leaves deepen in colour and form a dense canopy, making the plant attractive even after flowering has finished.

Flowering usually occurs in late spring to early summer, most commonly in May or early June in the UK. The racemes are long and slender, often reaching 40–60 cm, and sometimes even longer under ideal conditions. Each individual flower is a deep violet-purple, often with a subtle paler marking at the throat. The blooms are strongly fragrant, with a sweet, classic wisteria scent that carries well in warm weather and is highly attractive to bees.

‘Ito Koku Riu’ is a vigorous twining climber, capable of reaching 8–10 metres or more when mature. Like all Wisteria floribunda cultivars, it twines clockwise and requires substantial, permanent support. Regular pruning in summer and winter is essential to control its size, encourage spur formation, and ensure reliable flowering.

This wisteria performs best in full sun, where both flower length and colour intensity are maximised. It prefers fertile, well-drained soil and benefits from shelter from strong winds. Fully hardy throughout most of the UK, Wisteria floribunda ‘Ito Koku Riu’ is an outstanding choice for large structures where its cascading racemes can be appreciated to full effect, offering drama, fragrance, and a strong sense of Japanese garden tradition.

Wisteria × valderi ‘Eranthema’ is an elegant and distinctive deciduous climber, valued for its refined flowers, gentle fragrance, and manageable habit. A hybrid between Wisteria floribunda and Wisteria sinensis, it combines the best qualities of both parents, offering reliable flowering with a slightly less vigorous growth rate than many traditional wisterias.

In spring, soft green, pinnate leaves emerge, typically made up of 11–15 oval leaflets. The foliage unfurls alongside the flowers, creating a balanced and attractive display rather than leaving the blooms exposed on bare stems. As the season progresses, the leaves deepen in colour and form a dense canopy that provides shade and interest through the summer months.

Flowering usually takes place in late spring, most often in May in the UK. The flowers are borne in medium-length, pendulous racemes, generally around 20–30 cm long. Each pea-like bloom is a rich violet to blue-purple, often highlighted with a pale yellow or creamy marking at the centre. The flowers are sweetly scented, though more delicately perfumed than some other cultivars, making them particularly pleasant in sheltered garden settings.

‘Eranthema’ is a twining climber that can reach approximately 7–9 metres in height when mature. It twines clockwise and requires strong, permanent support such as a pergola, arbour, or substantial wall framework. Regular pruning in summer and winter helps to control its size and encourages the formation of flowering spurs.

This cultivar thrives in full sun, where flowering is most abundant, but it will tolerate light shade. It prefers fertile, well-drained soil and benefits from a sheltered position. Fully hardy across most of the UK, Wisteria × valderi ‘Eranthema’ is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a classic wisteria with dependable performance, elegant flowers, and a slightly more restrained habit.

Wisteria sinensis 'Prolific' is a popular and stunning climbing shrub that is renowned for its abundant, fragrant, and long-lasting blooms. This deciduous plant belongs to the Fabaceae family and is native to China, but it is widely cultivated around the world for its beauty and versatility.

The 'Prolific' variety of Wisteria sinensis is named for its exceptionally abundant blooms, which appear in late spring or early summer in drooping clusters that can reach up to 30cm in length. Each individual flower is about 2cm long and features a delicate and enchanting fragrance that can fill the air. The flowers can range in color from soft lilac to deep violet, depending on the cultivar.

The leaves of the Wisteria sinensis 'Prolific' are light green and oval-shaped, with a pointed tip and a slightly hairy surface. The plant is a vigorous climber that can reach up to 9 meters in height and spread up to 5 meters in width. It is best trained to grow on trellises, walls, or other supports to showcase its beautiful blooms.

Wisteria sinensis 'Prolific' prefers full sun or partial shade and well-drained, fertile soil. It requires regular pruning to control its growth and encourage blooming. The plant is relatively low maintenance and can tolerate moderate drought conditions once established.

Wisteria floribunda 'Longissima Alba' is a stunning climbing shrub that belongs to the family Fabaceae. Also known as the Japanese wisteria, this plant is highly prized for its gorgeous, cascading clusters of fragrant, white flowers that bloom in spring and early summer.

The 'Longissima Alba' variety is particularly noted for its long, pendulous flower clusters, which can reach up to 3 feet in length. The flowers are delicately scented and attract a variety of pollinators, including butterflies and bees.

The foliage of this plant is also attractive, with long, narrow leaves that emerge in a bronze hue before maturing to a bright green color. In fall, the leaves turn a lovely shade of yellow before dropping for the winter.

As a climbing shrub, Wisteria floribunda 'Longissima Alba' is ideal for training onto trellises, walls, or pergolas, where its cascading flowers can be fully appreciated. It is a vigorous grower and can reach heights of up to 30 feet if left unpruned.

Overall, this beautiful and fragrant climbing shrub is an excellent addition to any garden or landscape, providing a stunning display of flowers and foliage throughout the growing season.

Wisteria floribunda ‘Black Dragon’, also known as ‘Kokuryu’, is a striking and dramatic Japanese wisteria cultivar prized for its unusually dark, richly coloured blooms. Its flowers emerge in long, cascading racemes that can reach impressive lengths, often around 30–50 cm, creating a waterfall effect in late spring to early summer. The blossoms themselves are deep violet to purple-black, giving the plant its evocative name. Each flower has a velvety texture and a subtle, sweet fragrance that enhances its luxurious, almost mysterious presence in the garden.

As the plant matures, its twining stems develop a graceful, sculptural quality, weaving around pergolas, arches, and sturdy supports. The foliage is fresh green, pinnate, and lightly textured, providing a beautiful contrast to the dark flower clusters. In summer, the leaves create a soft, ornamental canopy, and in autumn they turn a gentle yellow before falling.

‘Black Dragon’ is an ideal choice for gardeners seeking a wisteria variety with depth, drama, and exceptional ornamental appeal. With proper pruning and training, it becomes a breathtaking focal point, offering a spectacular display that feels both elegant and enchantingly exotic in any landscape.

Wisteria brachybotrys 'Showa-beni' is wonderful, vigorous, deciduous climber that climbs by anti-clockwise twining. It has soft, silky, pinnate, fresh green leaves, and fragrant, lilac-pink flowers abundantly growing in hanging sprays and blooming in late spring to early summer. Flowers are followed by velvety, bean-like seed pods, ripening in late summer and persisting on branches throughout the winter. Attractive to bees and butterflies.

Wisteria brachybotrys 'Showa-beni' grows best in moderately fertile, slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soils, but can adapt to a wide range of soils. It likes full sun, but tolerates partial shade. Best flowering is achieved in full sun. It can withstand frost and drought. Needs regular pruning to maintain its shape and size and to encourage flowering.

Wisteria brachybotrys 'Showa-beni' is an exotic-looking and fast-growing climber perfect for growing against a house wall, on pergolas, trellises, arbours, and fences. Great for cottage and urban gardens. It can also grow as a tree on a strong support.

Wisteria sinensis, or Chinese wisteria, is a large, vigorous, anticlockwise twining, deciduous climber with pinnate, dark green leaves and tiny, fragrant, mauve or lilac flowers appearing in long, dropping clusters and blooming in late spring. Flowers are followed by attractive, velvety, bean-like pods. Attractive to birds, bees, and butterflies.

Wisteria sinensis likes moderately fertile, humus-rich, slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soil. It thrives in full sun, but tolerates partial shade. Once established, it can withstand some drought. The best flowering occurs in full sun. It can withstand low temperatures, but needs to be sheltered from harsh winds. Flower buds may be damaged by spring frost. It needs regular pruning to maintain its shape and size as it has invasive tendencies.

Chinese wisteria is a beautiful climber, but needs sturdy structures to grow. Perfect for large, strong, arbours, pergolas, fences, trellises or walls. It can be trained as a specimen tree. Suitable for growing in containers.

Wisteria sinensis, or Chinese wisteria, is a large, vigorous, anticlockwise twining, deciduous climber with pinnate, dark green leaves and tiny, fragrant, lilac flowers appearing in long, dropping clusters and blooming in late spring. Flowers are followed by attractive, velvety, bean-like pods. Attractive to birds, bees, and butterflies. Wisteria sinensis likes moderately fertile, humus-rich, slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soil. It thrives in full sun, but tolerates partial shade. Once established, it can withstand some drought. The best flowering occurs in full sun. It can withstand low temperatures, but needs to be sheltered from harsh winds. Flower buds may be damaged by spring frost. It need regular pruning to maintain its shape and size. It has invasive tendencies. Chinese wisteria is a beautiful climber, but needs sturdy structures to grow. Perfect for large, strong, arbours, pergolas, fences, trellises or walls. It can be trained as a specimen tree. Suitable for growing in containers.

Wisteria sinensis 'Prolific' is a popular and stunning climbing shrub that is renowned for its abundant, fragrant, and long-lasting blooms. This deciduous plant belongs to the Fabaceae family and is native to China, but it is widely cultivated around the world for its beauty and versatility.

The 'Prolific' variety of Wisteria sinensis is named for its exceptionally abundant blooms, which appear in late spring or early summer in drooping clusters that can reach up to 30cm in length. Each individual flower is about 2cm long and features a delicate and enchanting fragrance that can fill the air. The flowers can range in color from soft lilac to deep violet, depending on the cultivar.

The leaves of the Wisteria sinensis 'Prolific' are light green and oval-shaped, with a pointed tip and a slightly hairy surface. The plant is a vigorous climber that can reach up to 9 meters in height and spread up to 5 meters in width. It is best trained to grow on trellises, walls, or other supports to showcase its beautiful blooms.

Wisteria sinensis 'Prolific' prefers full sun or partial shade and well-drained, fertile soil. It requires regular pruning to control its growth and encourage blooming. The plant is relatively low maintenance and can tolerate moderate drought conditions once established.

Wisteria 'Prolific' is a stunning choice for an espalier umbrella, creating a cascading canopy of lavender-blue blooms each spring. Known for its abundant, fragrant flowers, this vigorous climber transforms outdoor spaces, offering both beauty and shade. Ideal for gardens and patios, 'Prolific' requires a sunny spot and well-drained soil to thrive. Its branches are trained into an umbrella shape, forming a structured yet natural focal point that softens with age. Easy to maintain with seasonal pruning, it encourages dense flower production and healthy growth. Perfect for adding a touch of elegance to any outdoor setting, Wisteria 'Prolific' delivers vibrant color and graceful charm to your landscape, making it a favorite among gardeners and homeowners alike.

The Wisteria 'Shiro Kapitan Fuji' is a stunning Japanese wisteria variety, trained as an espalier umbrella for unique visual appeal in gardens or patios. This cultivar produces cascading, pure white, fragrant flower clusters up to 12 inches long, creating a breathtaking display in spring. Ideal for small spaces, the umbrella espalier form provides structured beauty and a controlled shape, making it perfect for adding height and drama to your landscape. 'Shiro Kapitan Fuji' thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, with moderate watering needs. Low-maintenance yet striking, it attracts pollinators, including bees and butterflies, while offering exceptional seasonal interest. This wisteria is a standout feature that transforms any outdoor space into a serene, flowering sanctuary.