Sunday, April 29, 2012

Wisteria Time

It's "Wisteria Time" in our garden. The wisteria we planted many, many years ago is growing up a metal gazebo just off our back porch. You can see our dogwood tree blooming at the same time to the left.
Placement is important for a wisteria plant. It requires a very sturdy structure, as it will engulf any smaller structure in its path.
We're lucky this year that we haven't had a late frost (so far) that would kill the beautiful wisteria buds before they were able to bloom.
If you grow wisteria you know the importance of keeping it in line and under control by regular pruning. But don't prune it too close to spring, otherwise you'll be chopping off the lovely buds. Late fall or winter for a strong "hair cut" is best for wisteria, with some pruning throughout the year after the spring blooms are finished is best.
We are delighted to be seeing these lovely blooms as we step off our back porch into our garden. And the smell is heavenly.
Be sure to check out the recipe for May Wine that Teresa and I made, and drank. It was delicious and fun to make.

10 comments:

Rosemary said...

Beautiful, love the look with the dogwood.......

Anonymous said...

what a lovely wisteria!
I was just saying to my man yesterday that I want a wisteria or a magnolia tree (or both!) this year. so this entry was very usefull information, thanks :-) I need to read more about it, cause I'm not sure if it can handle this climate here.

November- symra said...

Abslolutly adorable, tanks for cheering with us...

LJB said...

Gorgeous - my arbor, as you know, is given to grapes. While I appreciate having something I can harvest, I love the look and smell of wistria. Your basket of gold is looking mighty fine as well!

GRACE PETERSON said...

One of my voyeurisms that I haven't posted yet was of a wisteria leaning over a fence at a nearby park. The scent, like you said, was heavenly and the blossoms were just luscious. I love your metal gazebo. The whole setting is just lovely. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you won't get a late frost. The chocolate/strawberry desert looks D-lish!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, your wisteria is so beautiful! I wanted to get one last year but don't feel I really have the right structure just yet. I am so wistful for wisteria but a little worries about keeping it in check! Do you know what type you planted? Chinese? American?

The blooms are gorgeous and I also love the shot of the decadent looking dessert with wine. I'll have to check that recipe now...

Three on Grove said...

How beautiful! I love wisteria, but I don't have my husband convinced on it. Great photos!

Barbarapc said...

Do you remember what variety it is? Such lovely colour. Wish more people would grow it, an absolutely wonderful vine.
B.

Jennifer said...

I had a wisteria vine in our old house. Gosh, I miss it when I see your lovely pictures!

Emily said...

oh, so beautiful! your garden is such a paradise.