I've finally decided - absolutely decided - to cut back the wisteria to the ground. If it comes back - which it will - I will try training into a standard. I saw a great example of a free standing tree a few days ago. I fancy the challenge.
I've seen wisteria grown as a short tree on one trunk then trained on a kind of upside down umbrella like structure. Could you get hold of an old strong garden umbrella, strip the material off and use the spokes as a frame? If you don't have the space for a round one, you might be able to cut half the spokes off to make it a half frame. An interesting project. Do keep us informed of progress or not!
We have a mature wisteria but it is growing up against (the outside of) a perimeter fence and sends shoots all over, it’s happy where it is and I don’t want to mess with it. I love it’s wild almost bindweed aggressive growth too!
Anyway I purchased two ‘New Blue Fountain’ specimens today, both about 6’ including pots and they have been grown upright with fairly thick bamboo canes, with broadly straight trunks about 2-3”in diameter and side branches starting around 50% of the way up and not extending more than 30-60cm sideways.
My plan (not based on any expertise) was to plant, and trim at the top to keep them no taller and to stop any low growth and wait for the existing side branches to get bigger.
i have no idea if this will work or how long it will take to establish. To be honest, I’m not even sure about the growth rate of the species I purchased as there is no online info and I can’t remember if it was ‘floribundi’ or ‘chinesis’.
i reckon cutting right down to a woody stump would work, good luck Fire!
I have to prevent the tendrils from my Wisteria from throttling me when I walk past. It is hard work keeping up with it. I get tempted to just chopping it back but I am worried about chopping away the shoots that might be ripening for next years flower buds. I am a bit unsure about what to do with it's like a Hydra. the more I chop it back the more it grows.
Here in Norwich there is a marvellous 'hedge' of free-standing wisterias around the churchyard at St Giles on the Hill .......... I used to walk past it to art school every morning ... the perfume is amazing ... have a look at this video
It's very old ... every so often one has to be replaced and the new plants are supported buy some of the old ones seem to have outlasted their supports
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
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We have a mature wisteria but it is growing up against (the outside of) a perimeter fence and sends shoots all over, it’s happy where it is and I don’t want to mess with it. I love it’s wild almost bindweed aggressive growth too!
Anyway I purchased two ‘New Blue Fountain’ specimens today, both about 6’ including pots and they have been grown upright with fairly thick bamboo canes, with broadly straight trunks about 2-3”in diameter and side branches starting around 50% of the way up and not extending more than 30-60cm sideways.
My plan (not based on any expertise) was to plant, and trim at the top to keep them no taller and to stop any low growth and wait for the existing side branches to get bigger.
i have no idea if this will work or how long it will take to establish. To be honest, I’m not even sure about the growth rate of the species I purchased as there is no online info and I can’t remember if it was ‘floribundi’ or ‘chinesis’.
i reckon cutting right down to a woody stump would work, good luck Fire!
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'
https://stgileschurch.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/walking-tour-of-the-wisteria/
It's very old ... every so often one has to be replaced and the new plants are supported buy some of the old ones seem to have outlasted their supports
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.