Last year the wisteria only had a few blooms on it; most were done
in by a freeze, which happens about half of the time with wisteria.
in by a freeze, which happens about half of the time with wisteria.
These white and lavender flowers are an anomaly, some trick of temperature change perhaps. I don't recall seeing this coloration on this wisteria before; Dani in Greece showed pictures of a wisteria covered in two-toned flowers such as these! It was gorgeous.
This year we got to see it in full bloom. It was cut down by a freeze
at its peak, but at least we got to see it at that glorious peak.
at its peak, but at least we got to see it at that glorious peak.
The flowers look like clusters of grapes and smell very sweet.
I can catch the fragrance from a surprising distance if the wind is right.
I've always wanted a wisteria in shrub form because our neighbors when I was a kid had one. It was so beautiful and fragrant in the spring. I saw a woodcock lurking underneath it once, which was pretty special because those birds are usually heard and not seen.
There are woodcocks here too and while I often hear them during
their twilight courtship flights in March I haven't actually seen one.
their twilight courtship flights in March I haven't actually seen one.
With running green-and-gold 'Eco Lacquered Spider', which was one of the first things I planted when we moved here. It has now spread to the length of the driveway, even into the old driveway, a length of about 75 feet. It gets some mildew during the summer but is tough as nails. It has survived drought and flooding and for the last nine years (since the house was moved) the only care it has gotten is some compost thrown on it once or twice a year. It made a marvelous companion to dwarf crested iris, which was eventually crowded out by other things. I should replace it though because 1) it's so lovely and 2) carefree, only asking for space.
Simply gorgeous, Sweetbay ! Lovely colour ! And I know that perfume :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful color! It's too bad the return of winter's icy fingers cut the glory of its bloom cycle short.
ReplyDeleteYour Wisteria shows an outstanding beauty of flowers, love it and the fragrance, I smell it in my imagination.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! What a beauty!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning wisteria focal point!
ReplyDeleteThat must smell amazing! Do you need to prune it frequently to keep it from escaping into the woods?
ReplyDeleteOh yeah. We've always mowed around it with the tractor but now some of the runners are going underground for several feet before popping up.
DeleteWow, Sweetbay! That is spectacular! Is this an Asian or American variety?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, in answer to your questions on my recent posts, the mock orange is an unnamed passalong from a friend, given to help rebuild my garden after the tornado in 1990. The azalea is George Lindley
Tabor. Have a great week! Deb
It's an Asian variety. The American species has much shorter flower trusses that are deep purple and have no scent to not a very good scent (still beautiful though - it grows in the long pergola at the Coker Arboretum in Chapel Hill).
DeleteGorgeous! I didn't even know wisteria could grow as a shrub.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have known either if it wasn't for my neighbor. I've seen wisteria grown as a shrub around here by a couple of people and theirs is much smaller and wispier looking than the one here. I wonder if they cut it to the ground every year after it blooms.
DeleteI agree that Dwarf Crested Iris is lovely, and I also had the experience of it being crowded out by more aggressive and taller plants. Your Wisteria is amazing! Is it the Chinese or American species?
ReplyDeleteI just looked in Dirr's Manual and I think it's the Japanese species because it's so fragrant. The American species has smaller rounded flower trusses that are a darker purple. IME (from seeing it at the JC Raulston and Coker Arboretums) its habit is much more restrained and I can either discern either no fragrance or a rather unpleasant one. Fragrance may differ among cultivars though.
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