Black Dragon Wisteria

Wisteria floribunda is a quintessential climbing vine for clothing fences, railings, and the sides of buildings. Black Dragon Wisteria is a slightly more unusual variety with strings of deep, grape flowers that bloom for weeks from late spring onwards. The fully double-petaled flowers have a heavenly scent and are loved by beneficial pollinators. The long vines are easy to train and develop twining stems to grab onto sturdy trellising, pergolas, or wire guides. 

Wisteria are virtually free of pests and diseases, making them relatively low maintenance. Deer do not browse this deciduous vine at any growth stage, and beneficial insects such as leafcutter bees and many butterfly and moth species use Wisteria as a host plant and food source. The clear, medium green foliage emerges a brilliant spring green just as the flowers are developing early in the spring. Early in the fall as the weather cools, the leaves turn a lovely coppery red. Black Dragon will produce seed pods in the summer if the spent flowers are not deadheaded. The pods are toxic to humans, pets, and other wildlife. 

 Black Dragon Wisteria Care

Wisteria vines are happy to grow in a wide range of locations. A planting site in full sun with well-draining, neutral soil will support the healthiest Wisteria. Water new plants consistently, 1-2 times a week, to establish a strong root system. Strong supports need to be installed at the time of planting so that the main framework for the vine can be established early. 

Fertilize annually in early spring with a balanced, slow-release formula for shrubs and perennials as the new shoots emerge. Avoid over-fertilizing and high-nitrogen feeds. High levels of nitrogen will promote dense foliage and few flower buds. 

Pruning is the number one maintenance chore for taming Wisteria's exceptionally fast growth. Throughout the summer, make heading cuts to keep the twining vines in check. Lightly cut back the side shoots to a main stem. Cut back the vines hard in late summer or early fall to set up the plant to bloom in the spring. Cut stems back to the main trunk framework, leaving 3-4 buds (spurs), and remove all of the spent top growth. 

Asian varieties of Wisteria, such as Black Dragon, will require many years of growth before they flower dependably. Japanese Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) is markedly hardier than the Chinese type (Wisteria sinensis), making it a better choice for colder growing zones. Deadheading the spent flowers will stop Wisteria from producing toxic seed pods.  

Black Dragon Wisteria Spacing

Black Dragon Wisteria grows quickly, often putting on 5-6 feet of growth a year. The mature height ranges from 20-30 feet with an equally large spread. Plant Black Dragon where the vines can be trained on sturdy support and easily reached for pruning throughout the growing season. Use plants with shallow root systems such as perennials and annual bedding plants to create a groundcover at the base of Wisteria. Space plants 12 inches from the base.