‘Vital’ step you should never skip before planting wisteria

Wisteria: David Domoney shares tips for plant

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Wisterias take a few years to mature and produce flowers, though once established, they are rapid growers and can shoot up to 10 feet or more in a single growing season. While it may seem daunting, growing this breathtaking plant is “much easier” than you may think, according to gardening experts. However, the pendant blooms will struggle to grow without proper soil preparation when the planting season arrives.

When to plant wisteria

According to the gardening experts at Thompson and Morgan, Wisteria should be planted in autumn or spring when the soil is slightly warm.

While the planting process is relatively easy, the steps taken beforehand are crucial to growing a successful display.

The Thompson and Morgan team said: “It’s vital to take the time to create ideal soil conditions for your wisteria from the very beginning, because you’ll be living with the plant for a very long time.”

Location is also important to consider before planting this “long-lived” flower, so choose the site wisely before preparing the soil.

It is best to choose a border bed close to a wall, archway or trellis to support the woody stems.

Easy access to the entire plant is also necessary as wisterias are relatively high-maintenance.

Experts at Thompson and Morgan said: “They require regular pruning to keep them under control and to encourage flowering, so it’s well worth taking your time to choose the best possible location for your plant.”

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How to prepare the soil

Wisterias grow best in sun or partial shade with moist, well-drained soil.

Before burying bare-root wisteria, add plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost to enrich the site.

Doing so will improve fertility and drainage to create ideal growing conditions.

Farm manure or shredded leaves are well-suited to clay-heavy soil types.

To successfully grow healthy wisteria, plant potted varieties into the ground at the same depth as the pot.

When handling bare roots, the best technique to master the planting depth is to look for the soil mark.

According to Thompson and Morgan, this is usually located towards the base of the stem, just below the graft point.

To find it quickly, look for the bulge in the stem where the main plant is grafted to the rootstock.

How long do wisteria take to flower?

This popular cottage plant won’t bloom in the first year, though it will benefit from regular watering to help the roots establish.

Most gardeners warn that gardeners should expect to wait at least two years for flowers to grow after planting.

For the best chances of pendant blooms, keep the plant sheltered from frost and maintain the soil.

The experts at Thompson and Morgan said: “With the correct care, these long-lived climbers will reward you with many years of pleasure.”

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