Wisteria sinensis Caroline

Wisteria sinensis 'Caroline' is a particularly early and floriferous variety, producing dense clusters of flowers in spring, just before the young bronze-coloured leaves emerge. It displays a bluer and colder mauve than those of the species. Its long voluble stems wind around their support. This wisteria is distinguished by its rapid flowering and highly fragrant, floral-scented blossoms, which bloom again in summer. A sublime climbing plant for shading a patio or pergola.

Wisteria sinensis, or Chinese wisteria, is an exuberant climbing plant belonging to the large Fabaceae family, just like clover, alfalfa, and lupins. It is native to the humid forests of China and was introduced to Europe in 1816. Its long voluble stems, which can reach 10m (33ft) in length, lignify with age. It is perfectly resistant to cold. It is undemanding in terms of soil (although it does fear excessive active limestone), and can grow in lean soils that are dry in summer if they are deep enough.

The 'Caroline' variety stands out with its faster flowering, early and abundant blue blossoms, and slightly less extensive growth. Its stems, reaching 7m (23ft), naturally turn counterclockwise around supports. The growth of new shoots is rapid, covering several metres in a season in moist soil. The main flowering of this 'Caroline' variety takes place in April-May, earlier or later depending on the climate, on relatively young plants. It develops on almost bare branches located not far from the lignified main stems. Dense clusters of mauve-blue papilionaceous flowers, 20 to 25cm (8 to 10in) long, release a pleasant floral scent in calm weather. They open from the base towards the tip of the cluster. The plant reblooms a little during summer. The young bronze leaves appear at the end of flowering and then turn a light green colour. They are 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) long and divided into numerous rounded leaflets, giving the foliage a light appearance. It can live for over 50 years.

'Caroline' is the ideal plant to adorn facades and pergolas with its elegant foliage, extraordinary flowering, and pod fruiting at the end of the season. It is also particularly useful for covering a wall or an unsightly fence. This vigorous plant wraps itself around fences or trellises. It does tend to smother surrounding plants, so plant it on its own in full sun. Alternatively, plant it with equally powerful honeysuckles, such as Lonicera x delavayi, an evergreen with yellow, fragrant summer blossoms.

However, be patient: the first flowering of the wisteria may not appear until it is 2 to 3 years old, depending on growing conditions.