Wisteria frutescens 'LONGWOOD PURPLE'

American wisteria is quite different from its Asian relatives in many aspects. It grows smaller and more compact, producing shorter flower racemes, and it even does well in soils that tend to get waterlogged sometimes.

Longwood Purple is a variety of American wisteria originating from Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania, USA. It is very similar to Amethyst Falls variety, just the colour is a little stronger. The lovely flowers are rich violet purple, borne in short racemes about 10 cm long. Their fragrance is faint, not similar to the Asian ones at all. They come out in profusion from late May and after the main flush has finished a short break comes after which the plant produces flowers again, not plenty, but one by one usually until late summer.

Deciduous leaves are fresh green, pinnate, and last long into winter. Even though it belongs to dwarf group it is still a short vine and needs at least some support. As it ages its framework of inner branches hardens up and will hold the plant on its own, but it will take some time. Pruning is possible from late winter until early spring before the buds begin to swell.

It likes acid, reasonably fertile soil that is constantly moist. No fertilizing recommended. Grow it in full sun for profuse flowering. Already one year old plants set flowers. Fully hardy to about -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 12-02-2016