- Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 20 - 30 Feet
- Mature Spread 20 Feet
- Growing Zones 5 - 9
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.
Black Dragon Wisteria Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9 |
Plant Type: |
Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 5 Feet |
Mature Spread: 20 - 30 Feet |
Spacing: 20 Feet |
Habit: Climbing |
Flower Color(s): Purple |
Flower Description: Dark Purple Blooms |
Bloom Period: Summer |
Foliage Type: Deciduous |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: Green Shades |
Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: N/A |
Tolerates: N/A |
Attracts: N/A |
Container Role: |
Uses: Hedges & Privacy |
Features: Foliage Interest, Fragrant |
Brand: |
Common Name: Black Dragon Wisteria |
Other Name(s): Japanese Wisteria 'Kokury?' |
Scientific Name: Wisteria 'Black dragon' |
- SKU:
- 123PLA0197-npn
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

#5 Pot
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

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Pre-Ordered Plants
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated Spring Shipping Schedule
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants Shipping Now
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.