Wisteria brachybotrys Showa-beni (Silky Wisteria)

ID6184

Showa-Beni is a very floriferous, moderately high climber, with short but numerous flower clusters 15-20cm in length. This species is recognized by its velvety, hairy leaves and its lovely scent. This Wisteria needs a normal moist-permeable soil, sun to light shade and preferably a southern or western orientation. Showa-beni bloom with fragrant pink flowers.

Key Features

Plant Type: deciduous climber

Max Height: 12m  Spread: 8m

Foliage Colour: Light Green

Foliage Type: deciduous climber

Seasons of Interest: April - June

Soil Condition: Well-drained, Neutral

Planting Position: Full Sun or Light Shade

Plant Care & Advice

Wisteria is a vining plant with cascades of blue to purple flowers that look spectacular hanging from a pergola or archway in spring and early summer. However, this vine is a fast and aggressive grower—often reaching 25 to 30 feet long—and is known to grow quite heavy. Wisteria vines will work their way into any crook or cranny they can reach. Wisteria flowers are beautifully fragrant, providing a feast for the senses. After flowering, a brown, bean-like pod stays on the plant until winter. Pruning is the secret to good flowering, as wisteria only blooms on new wood. Prune wisteria in late winter. Remove at least half of the prior year’s growth, leaving just a few buds per stem. If you want a more formal appearance, prune again during summer, after traditional flowering. For more blooms, try cutting back the rampant shoots every two weeks during the summer. Do you have a new wisteria? Cut the vine back severely right after planting. Then, the next year, cut the main stem or stems back to 3 feet of the previous season’s growth. Once the framework is full size, shorten further extension growth in midsummer to where growth began for that season.