Wisteria sinensis Flore Pleno

Wisteria sinensis 'Flore Pleno' is a wonderful form of the vigorous Chinese wisteria with double and fragrant flowers. Its long clusters of flowers display a delightful gradation of mauve tones, ranging from almost white to deep mauve. This exuberant climber blooms abundantly in spring, usually among its young bronze shoots, and often again in summer. Wisterias wrap their long voluble stems around trellises, arbours, and pergolas. These long, green and flexible tendrils eventually become so powerful that they can lift their supporting structure. Wisterias are extraordinarily beautiful, exceptionally vigorous, very accommodating, and resistant to the coldest winters.

Wisteria sinensis is a fast-growing climbing plant belonging to the large Fabaceae family. 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. Sometimes a bit slow to establish, it is a robust plant that is perfectly resistant to cold. It is not demanding regarding soil (although it fears excessive active limestone), and can grow in poor and dry soils in summer if they are deep.

The 'Flore Pleno' form distinguishes itself with its double flowers and increased floribundity. Its stems easily reach 9 to 10m (29 to 33ft) in length and spontaneously wind around supports in an anti-clockwise direction. The growth of new, flexible, and villous shoots is very fast, reaching several metres in a season if planted in moist soil. The main flowering of this 'Flore Pleno' variety takes place in April-May, depending on the climate, on fairly young grafted plants. It develops on almost bare branches located not far from the lignified main stems. Clusters of flowers, 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in) long, spread a strong honey scent in calm weather. They open from the base to the tip of the cluster. The plant blooms again during summer, among the foliage. Its flowering is nectar-rich and honey-bearing. The young bronze leaves appear at the end of flowering and then turn a light green colour, ending in golden-yellow tones in autumn before falling. They are 15 to 30cm (6 to 12in) long and divided into 4 to 6 pairs of rounded leaflets, giving the foliage a light appearance. Chinese Wisteria can live well over 50 years. 

Wisteria sinensis 'Flore Pleno' is the epitome of romantic plants. It is a queen in the realm of climbing plants that can enhance any facade or structure, no matter how modest it may be. This vibrant plant often survives in old, neglected gardens, climbing to the tops of tall trees. It is also particularly useful for covering a wall or an unsightly fence. It wraps itself around a trellis without restraint if left to its own devices, and tends to smother nearby plants. Plant it on its own, in full sun (or partial shade in hot climates). Alternatively, plant it with honeysuckles as powerful as itself, such as Lonicera x delavayi, which is evergreen with a fragrant yellow summer flowering. Chinese wisteria also gets along very well with Clematis montana.

However, be patient! The first flowers may not appear until after 2 to 3 years, sometimes longer depending on growing conditions.