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Wisteria

stuemurphystuemurphy Posts: 5
in Plants

Hi,

I planted two wisteria plants 4-5 years ago at the front of my flat. they have grown to be quite large now, however they still have not shown any signs of flowering. They are planted tight to the wall, and creeping upwards about 3 metres, before crossing over the top of a bay window (Because the property is a ground floor flat, I keep it trimmed to prevent it growing upwards to the flat above mine).

Can anyone please advise how long it should take to flower, of if I'm doing anytime wrong?

thanks,

Stuart

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,051

    Can you add some photos?

    Devon.
  • stuemurphystuemurphy Posts: 5

    Yes, I will do this evening.

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,138

    Wisteria can take several years to establish themselves and start flowering.  They can be encouraged by a twice yearly pruning in July and then again in Jan/Feb when it isn't frosty.   You have to shorten the whippy stems in summer and then cut them back again in winter so that flower buds form.

    Easy guide here - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=242

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • stuemurphystuemurphy Posts: 5

    imageimageimage

  • stuemurphystuemurphy Posts: 5

    Thanks,  will take the pruning comments on board.

    As the photos show, there is wisteria plant on each side of the bay window, and the plants grow quite aggressively during spring and summer, meaning I have to cut it back several times. the photos were taken this morning, and it has not been but back yet, but will do very soon as it has grown over the windows, and has crept upwards onto the walls of the flat above mine.

    The plants are directed over the top of the bay window, and I'm wondering if this has anything to do with them not flowering?

    Also because the plant requires extensive cut back (I cut lots of branches off right back to the main stems), I'm wondering if this has had a negative impact...?

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,138

    I have just cleared the stems of my two up to head height and trimmed back a lot of the whippy new growth.  I did this in January and after the flowers went over in April - early this year cos of a mini heatwave.   They are both flowering well again tho not as prolifically as in April.   Fabulous perfume.

    I think yours should respond to pruning as indicated on the RHS website and you can try giving them some liquid tomato food as a tonic to help promote flowers.   Give them some slow release rose or tomato food next spring.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • stuemurphystuemurphy Posts: 5

    Thank you so much for the responses. The pictures are very helpful! 

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