Wisteria macrostachya, Kentucky Wisteria

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisteria_macrostachya

As an archeologist, some years ago, it was sometimes my job to write the "environmental background" for archeological sites. An archeologist in South Carolina's Sumter National Forest had identified a plant blooming in August as wisteria. Since I felt that wisteria does not bloom in August, I thought he had misidentified Kudzu, which does have a pea-like wisteria bloom in late summer.
Now I am learning that there is a non-Asian American form of wisteria which does bloom in late summer. I would just like to save anyone the embarassment of making a mistake! Here, folks, is Kentucky Wisteria!

According to Wikipedia, American wisterias do bloom in late summer.



This message was edited May 23, 2007 8:08 AM

Gloria125, I would love to have this growing in Nova Scotia... does anyone know how hardy it is? Is there a seed source you know of? Robb

zoneimpaired: I dont know a seed source. The asian wisteria taking over my yard is setting seeds now. I imagine if you could locate someone who has the American wisteria, seed should be available from any of those plants in late summer. As for the northern limit, the American wisteria is described as native to the southeast. Asian wisteria will grow further north, but it can be invasive. It definitly is a nuisance here.

In the May 2007 issue of the English Garden, there is a feature on a wisteria garden in England at Marwood Hill, Devon, a wisteria walk and pergola. How is Nova Scotia, zone-wise compared to Devon?

Minnesota hardy! I should let Leftwood or TL3 give the background on this one, but 'Blue Moon' is at least z4 hardy, and maybe even z3b.

http://www.monrovia.com/MonroviaWeb.nsf/0a83b0ead1fe053a8825716c0073637d/9bd1afad08594ca3882572420006b950!OpenDocument

Thanks, Resin. I guess that's not much comparison. In the English Gardener article, the Wisteria mentioned is Wisteria floribunda 'Multijuga'. I wonder how in zone 9, they expect to contain it?

What a clever climate you have!

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/wist1.htm

I have an infestation of this on my property. the seed pods are not brown and fuzzy. They are green and fuzzy. Perhaps they will turn brown later. Ill have to check if they are climbing trees clockwise or counterclockwise. I would certainly advise anyone in the Southeast not to plant the chinese or japanese varieties of this plant.

Ugh.

Hello all, I did have an asian wisteria(Chinese or Japanese, I don't know) at the side of our house in Nova Scotia that became so heavy that it pulled the 3" utility pipe away. The vine when cut had a diameter of at least 4". The vine never did bloom well and it sent "surface runners" in all directions. Our part of Nova Scotia is 5b-6a. We can grow peaches and some grapes, but we don't get long hot months (not a bad thing), just a few hot weeks. I have some pecan trees growing but I doubt that I will get ripe nuts... time will tell.
I would love to have the summer blooming American Wisteria... I will plant it away from the house. Robb.

Zoneimpaired:

http://davesgarden.com/ps/go/1351/

These are the vendors listed in plant files for wisteria frutescens.

I also found under "seedswappers" that there were some seeds for trade on the internet. I haven't checked the seed exchange here on DG. The cultivar, "Amethyst Falls" seems to be popular.

A note on nomenclature: I have D-Mail information that wisteria macrostachya is now merged with wisteria frutescens, American Wisteria. So that is what you are looking for. There are many Asian types. So far as I can tell they are all invasive.

good luck in finding an American wisteria.