Overview

American Wisteria, scientific name Wisteria frutescens, is a good U.S. native substitute for the invasive Chinese Wisteria and has an equally impressive flower display. It is cultivated for the plant trade, but its wild status is endangered in several states.

Native Range

American wisteria is native to moist areas along creeks and boggy areas in the South Eastern U.S. from central Florida to Virgina to Texas. It often climbs over bushes, trees and fences for support.

Care

It likes full sun to partial shade with a rich moist but well draining soil. An established plant needs very little care.

Uses

With selective trimming, it can be trained into a single trunk tree. It readily grows up trellises and along rock walls.

Chinese Wisteria

American Wisteria is often chosen over the more common Chinese Wisteria because it is easier to control and tends to not smother out other trees and shrubs. The flowers of American Wisteria are slightly smaller

Flowering

Flowers are usually purple, but dark purple, pink and white cultivars have been developed. Blooming is in late spring to early summer but can continue and be sporadic after July.