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Climber Wall Shrub

Wisteria floribunda 'Issai-naga'

Japanese wisteria 'Issai-naga'

Large, vigorous, deciduous climber about 9m tall, with twining stems, and green leaves divided into leaflets, that turn butter-yellow in autumn. Drooping racemes to 30cm long, of scented, pea-like, mauvish-blue flowers, marked violet-mauve, produced in late spring, often followed by bean-like velvety, blue-grey seed pods 15cm long. Free-flowering from a young age

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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 Blue Purple Green
Summer Green Grey Silver Green
Autumn Yellow
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–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

A large, long-lived climber so choosing the right site is important. Can be grown informally through large tree or more formally against a house wall. Will grow in most soils that are moist but well-drained in sun or part shade. See wisteria cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by layering in spring, softwood cuttings from late spring to early summer, hardwood cuttings in winter, root cuttings in late winter or grafting in late winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Climber and wall shrubs
  • 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

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