Knowing how to train and tie wisteria shoots can make a huge difference in the plant’s health and future flowers. A stalwart of the cottage garden, this long-lived vine delights with its spring cascades of purple-blue and white flowers and can easily reach heady heights of 30 feet or more if left unchecked.
With Instagram fans looking for the latest sensational displays – check out #wisteriahysteria – it’s definitely the chic choice to cover your home’s facade, and if you want an elegant display, tying up wisteria shoots is a garden task worth tackling. take hold.
These lush and fragrant plants can also be dramatically trained over a pergola, arch or arbor with just a little green-fingered know-how. We called on expert gardeners to share their insider tips.
(Image: Alamy/Ian Shaw)
How to Train Wisteria for Expert Results
Wisteria has a long tradition in Asian, American and English gardens and is instantly recognizable with its draping flowers and jagged vines. With nine species and endless varieties, there are plenty of these lovely plants to explore.
Japanese wisteria and Chinese wisteria are the most common species available. Both fast-growing flowering vines—considered invasive in some southeastern states—they do require firm handling to keep them under control, but they always perform spectacularly. The native species of American wisteria and Kentucky wisteria require more patience to get started, but will reward you with equally gorgeous flowers and are much easier to manage.
How to train a newly planted wisteria
(Image credit: Getty Images/Marc Chesneau)
Fast-growing, long-lived and heavy, especially when in full leaf, wisterias need a strong frame to grow.
“Wisteria is a vine that shrinks,” explains landscape designer and owner of Outside Space NYC, Irene Kalina-Jones. “It doesn’t climb by attaching itself to walls like hydrangea or ivy, instead it needs a firm support.”
Advance planning is important when growing wisteria, as these plants are long-lived and do not like to be moved once established. Always have a clear idea of the desired result and be realistic about the area that the mature wisteria will cover.
Metal or weatherproof wooden arches, trellises and gazebos are ideal structures for growing wisteria, but make sure they are well made, the joints are secure and have concrete bases to avoid shifting in the ground. Discover how to design a pergola for a fabulous garden focal point.
If you want to use a trellis, make sure the gaps are wide enough to accommodate the wisteria stems as they grow. Too small and the edges can rub and break the bark of the plant, which can lead to disease. There is also the risk that the plant will eventually break the grid and make repairs difficult.
To start, encourage two or three young shoots to wrap around each other and along the length of each post for full coverage and to create an attractive and interesting frame. Attach steel eye hooks, such as those from Amazon, at 18-inch intervals along each side of the structure and wrap horizontally with 14-gauge galvanized wire. Tie the young shoots to the taut but not tight wires as they grow and learn when and how to prune wisteria properly for abundant blooms.
How to train wisteria on a wall
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If you long for a wisteria-covered dream home, then you need to know how to train this climber vertically.
“If you want to climb the wall, I recommend using a mesh of stainless steel eye hooks and stringing fishing wire or stainless steel tension wire as they can support the weight of the wisteria,” says Irene Kalina-Jones . Tie existing branches and fresh shoots over the wires at regular intervals, leaving a little extra space to promote a natural, organic look.
Avoid cutting the stems, as this can damage the bark and give an uneven result. Also be sure to trim or tie off any shoots or branches that pass between the wire supports or trellis and the wall surface, as this can restrict airflow – increasing the risk of spreading disease and viruses – and encourage strong strands to dislodge the plaster and brickwork.
“Proper pruning will also help the stems to thicken as well as encourage the plant to bear much of its own weight,” adds Irene.
Irene Kalina-Jones is a partner at Outside Space NYC, a Brooklyn-based landscape design/build and garden center firm. Irene has over 15 years of experience specializing in soft landscaping for private gardens in a variety of spaces throughout New York City. In addition to her design work, Irene runs a garden center that offers unique native perennials and exotic houseplants, and she is passionate about educating the community about urban gardening.
How to train wisteria as a tree
(Image: Alamy Alena Kravchenko)
Training wisteria as a stand-alone tree is not only a satisfying project, but also a brilliant way to add height and shape to your yard.
“It is possible to train wisteria into a tree,” says Susan Brand, co-founder of Blooming Secrets. First, install a sturdy metal or wooden post 4 or 5 feet into the ground—making sure it’s secure—before planting the climber next to it. Use screw holes and galvanized wire to create a frame.
“As the plant grows, you cut off the side shoots,” says Susan. “This will create a trunk. When the plant is about 3 feet tall, you want to trim the top of the trunk. This will encourage the growth of the trunk as well as the branching that will give it the shape of a tree.” Follow these steps for the next three to five years and you will be rewarded with a statue of a tree dripping with blossoms.
Which plant ties to use and the best tying technique
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Choosing the right type of plant ties can be confusing, but luckily the experts have some clear insights.
“For thick main shoots like wisteria or honeysuckle, I like to use zip ties,” says Irene Kalina-Jones. “They withstand high winds, which is especially important on roofs.” You can find adjustable garden zip ties at Walmart, or alternatively, try handy plant clips from Burpee.
Sustainable garden twine, such as Natural Jute Twine from Amazon, is a favorite among many professional gardeners. Especially for small to medium thick stems, it is easy to work with, biodegradable and strong. It will need regular replacement and will not withstand constant wetting.
Wire and metal ties are best avoided as they can easily cut soft stems and young plants, damaging the surface, resulting in unsightly swellings or entry points for fungal diseases.
Using the correct technique for tying the stems and branches in place is important to ensure there is enough room for growth as well as support. A simple figure eight knot is perfect for securing heavier stems or offering extra support in wind gardens. Wrap the center of the tie around the stem, criss-cross before looping around the support and tying. This creates a buffer between the stem and the support, eliminating any chance of damage through friction.
Flexible, young stems are best secured with a single loop around the stem and a support secured with a double knot, and leave room for growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to tie wisteria shoots?
Tying young wisteria shoots is only necessary on young plants – under three years old – or when new growth is needed to cover or extend the existing frame. Select several young shoots, carefully spread them in different directions and tie them to the support at regular intervals.
Knowing how to tie and train wisteria is a task worth mastering, and we hope you’ve found these expert tips helpful enough to proceed with confidence. Bring even more height and floral interest to your yard with these ideas for keeping climbing plants and trellis ideas.
