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Climber Wall Shrub

Wisteria sinensis 'Prolific'

Chinese wisteria 'Prolific'

'Prolific' is a vigorous, nitrogen-fixing deciduous climber up to 9m high with stems twining anticlockwise, pinnate leaves of 9-13 elliptic or ovate leaflets, and many very fragrant, soft blue-violet flowers in dense, hanging racemes 25-30cm long in late spring and early summer, often followed by bean-like seed pods; it often flowers from a young age, and the flowers are visited by bees in bright or warm weather

Synonyms
Wisteria sinensis 'Cooke's Special'
Wisteria sinensis 'Blue Sapphire'
see moreWisteria floribunda 'Blue Sapphire'
Wisteria sinensis 'Consequa'
Wisteria sinensis 'Sierra Madre'
Wisteria 'Consequa'
Wisteria sinensis 'Augusta Pride'
Wisteria sinensis 'Oosthoek's Variety'
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Brown Purple Blue Green
Summer Green Brown Purple Blue Green Green
Autumn Green Brown Yellow Green Green
Winter Green Brown
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Climbing
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus

Wisteria are vigorous woody climbers with twining stems bearing pinnate leaves and long pendulous racemes of fragrant pea-like flowers in spring and early summer

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow informally into a large strong deciduous tree, or formally against a wall with support such as wires, over an arch or pergola, in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. See wisteria cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by basal softwood cuttings from sideshoots from early summer to midsummer and rooted with bottom heat, by layering in autumn, or by grafting in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Climber and wall shrubs
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Prune twice a year for best results, see pruning wisteria for detailed advice

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, and scale insects including wisteria scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), phytophthora root rot, coral spot, fungal leaf spot, virus diseases, and powdery mildews

Get involved

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