Training wisteria up fence

martinjpollardx2hllQmm · 4 February

We've recently had a new fence and patio built, and we asked the builder to leave a semicircular hole so we could plant a climber up the fence (see pics below). A family member gave us a wisteria frutescens and we were thinking this could be ideal, but wanted to check in here before going ahead.

I'm very much prepared to take the time to prune properly and train carefully, planning to do so espalier style with wires attached to the fence. But I wasn't sure whether the wisteria could pose a problem to:
(a) the fence itself (it's feather edge so hopefully pretty tough)
(b) the patio (the portion where this hole is located is built on a hardcore base, and the part nearer the house is built on a concrete base where the old patio was located)
(c) the drains (it's located 10-12ft away from two rainwater drains)
(d) the neighbour's garden.

I've read about using corrugated plastic to direct the root system away from drains etc., and wasn't sure if this could work to try directing the roots further into the garden or underneath the fence or towards our lawn?

Location of planting hole on patio, about 15ft from house

Location in relation to lawn and house

Closer view

JennyJ · 4 February

I think wisteria is probably too heavy for a fence when it gets mature (better on a wall). You might be better with something lighter like a group 3 clematis that gets pruned down hard every spring (which would also give you a chance to treat/maintain the fence if it was needed).

Obelixx · 4 February

As it matures a wisteria develops a trunk and branches as thick and strong as a tree. They will wind round and subsume any support such as wires or trellis so you need to prepared to tie them to rather than wind them round any supports.

Wisterias need a deep root run so if that hole has hard core a its base the soil won't be deep enough for any climber such as wisteria, roses, clematis that also like a deep root run to supply the nutrients and moisture they need. You'll need to excavate the soil and hardcore for the entire witdth of that hole and then replace it all with a mix of topsoil and well-rotted manure.

I would also advise sinking separate upright posts with wires, or better still, battens to train the wisteria in order to protect the fence from having to deal with the extra weight in strong winds and also reduce thelikelihood of wisteria shoots invading between the slats.

I have two mature wisterias planted against stone walls and they have disrupted neither and have long since pulled down any supports. I don't think you need to worry about the drains.

For pruning and training advice, consult the RHS website for advice - https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/wisteria/growing-guide

Training wisteria up fence

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