Best video I have seen on this subject by far. The other videos only explain how to prune an established plant - not how to manage a new plant in its first few years. This is what most people need to know. Thank you from the UK.
Totally agree, by far. The videos I've seen before are mostly on huge wisterias that require maintenance only. This video is more about forming the wisteria. Bravo.
Excellent guide to wisteria training. Lots of similar 'guides' just talk of pruning growing points to 3 or 5 buds... But this still results in explosion unwanted growth. This video tells you exactly how to do it right!
Definitely the best video I’ve seen on Wisteria pruning! The diagrams were super useful to understand. Wish I had seen it a few years ago. Some serious winter pruning coming up for my Wisteria in a week or two...
Sachin, I am glad you like it. Wisteria are a great plant but get a bad reputation from such vigorous growth. None or poor pruning just makes it worse. Good luck on your pruning.
My daughter and her husband just bought a house and there’s a trellis with two completely feral wisteria plants growing on it. This has given me a clear idea of how to help her rein them in. Thanks!
Great explanatory video! Loved the illustrations, made it very easy to understand how to prune. I’m sure I will watch many times as I train my wisteria. Thank you.
This is a fantastic video. Thanks so much for the clear explanation. We've recently bought a house with a large-ish wisteria that has been let go for several years with just minimal pruning. I've got LOADS of growth above the arbor that is out of control and didn't produce much in the way of flowers. I'm going to try to introduce some structure this winter. I'd love to see another video on getting a mature plant under control.
I am glad you like it. Back when I made this video I had little filming experience and did not get the sound right. Recent videos have benefitted from a dedicated microphone. Lots more good horticulture to come.
@@billrobbins5874 OMG I was thinking the same thing..... mine is 2 years old, and I'd say it's A MESS... another vid said Aug. is prune time ..... it's HOT out there!!
Thank you, this is what I needed to see. We have an arch with two wisterias growing over it, one suddenly almost died two years ago, now revived, and the other one growing mad all over. I pruned both last year but the strong one keeps growing so needed to see how to properly tame it . I sometimes look at the houses with beautiful old wisterias - probably 30 years of age, and think they probably never get pruned!! Having watched a few videos I found similarities with how I prune my climbing roses. I think it is the same principle but I still need to work on my understanding of a wisteria. Thanks again!
Really helpful information for someone who likes to give wisteria vine a shape to a tree from. I really appreciate him for this posting! I will try to find his additional videoes...
Hi Jaz M. Currently there are over 30 videos on the Planted Courtyard Channel. Each of them feature specific tasks to achieve a particular outcome. I focus on posting the task at the time of year it needs to be completed. Attending to tasks 'out of season' will hold you back. Enjoy the videos.
Thank you so much, i just bought one yesterday, unfortunately it has no flowers on it so I'll have to wait and be surprised when it blooms in a couple of years😂 your tips were very helpful i will definitely try and follow them, i was wondering how close to the house can we plant them, how aggressive is the root system of wisterias, i just hope it wont go under the house and destroy the house
This was fantastic. Any chance of doing a wisteria troubleshooting video? I have sudden dieback on a 40-year-old wisteria, and there aren’t really any videos out there, or much in the way of advice.
Wisteria can live many decades; soil, location, genetics all play their part in plant success. 40 years is good, take a cutting and start the plant all over again
Hi. I’ve inherited beautiful wisteria with a house I’ve purchased 5 years ago. It is very reminiscent of the “night” of your drawing examples. The main plant has grown into a wall-like mass of 3”-5” intertwining trunks. I’ve only just noticed it’s trellised on an old freestanding wood gate about 4’x5’. Over the 5 years I have been pruning and trimming to relieve some beautiful huge blueberry bushes the wisteria had been choking out. It also has vines that have traveled and rooted as far as 20-30 feet from the main. It’s twined through fencing, other trees, the ground. I’ve basically been pruning to keep it from taking over but I’d like to start training it to be the best and most beautiful it can be. Do you have any advice or videos on training massive overgrowth both twining and encompassing neighboring trees and bushes as well as taking over garden bed ground cover root system? Thank you so much for your help.
I planted new ones in the spring and they are doing well currently in the summer. However when I take the new young vines and move them to train them. The ends die back about 6 inches. Even though I am barely moving them??
This is great! Thanks so much for such an informative video. If a wisteria has very large old branches that have not been trained correctly would you remove them over a few years? Is it pos to promote new growth from the base to train in as new stems? Im looking at renovating a large wisteria that is growing over a big pergola. Ideally would the stems wind round or just sit on top of the timber 'roof' with flowers dangling through.? Any advice much appreciated!
This can be achieved and would be successful lover a 3 year time span. If you can avoid winding the branches Another option is to entirely remove the old plant and start again with a new choice plant and perhaps plant it in a better location. The new plant will be vigorous and be your choice of flower color. Make sure you buy it in flower
Annette, thank you for your feed back. This was one of my earlier videos where I was getting to grips with background noise and wind sound. I upgraded to a much better microphone .
Thank you for your excelent explanation! I need some advice. My Wisteria is about 7years old and one particular branch is over the neighbours property/evergreen. I choped it about 24'' from base. Unable to stop the bleeding! HELP?
@@PlantedwithIanCooke . yES! ONE OF THE THREE MAIN BRANCHES. I have used a hose clamp to help cut the flow and was thinking of burning the end. I hope that will help?
Over the years I'm guessing that the main trunk behind the gutter will push against the back of the gutter and cause issues. What would you do then? I have an older wisteria with the thicker main branches pushed through and started breaking the trellis structure.
There is a dent in the gutter downspout already. At this pruning,I think I'd have detached the downspout and relocated behind the vine while the trunk will still twist a bit.
Omg I wish I would of seen your video before. My wisteria has fallen of the peak porch its so heavy its covering the entrance so I had to cut it I cut it at the bottom so when hoisting back up for now until all the beautiful fragrance flowers are gone iv not done a very good job over the 25 years and as you explained in the first drawing example that's it . Needs a good thinning out but I'm afraid I will ruin it and it won't flower . Any advice I would appreciate. Thank you
Excellent video Edit: do you recommend planting this against a backyard south facing fence that separates part of my next door neighbors yard from us? We live in north east Oklahoma and in an area far enough away from any kind of exterior walls. The fence is average height about 6’ is my guess
My wisteria is well planted flowering and beautiful and has been for years. I just bought this home, should I be pruning all new red growth from the root pool?
Don’t be shy, get the clippers out and remove most of the very thin new growth first. With that removed you can easily see the framework of main branches and prune to maximize that shape. Don’t delay. Thank you
i currently have the alternative ;( after 4 years planted. So I have some work to do this winter. Many of the vines have twisted on each other. Should I leave that alone or select one to remain and, piece by piece, prune out the others that are twisted on the main?
Tie red tape in multiple locations on a good stem you want to keep. Do the same with blue and green tape. Identify at least 3 stems and remove the side shoots up to about 5 feet high. This will really open up the plant and you can see what you have got. Prune side shoots from ground level first moving up. As you cut pull all cut branches before you continue to cut.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke : thank you so much. I've learned so much from your video and will do exactly(I will try to do) as you say. Hope your 2023 year is fantastic! Peace.
Thank you for all your advices! I did plant one Wisteria this spring and it s started to grow and spread with nice leaves. I has two strings/branches only. Please, let me know how should I prepare it for winter time?
Simona, thank you for your question. Assuming there are mature and established Wisteria growing in your area then you are on the road to success. Older Wisteria will benefit from a prune when the leafs turn yellow and start to fall off. This is to improve shape and reduce areas of heavy growth that may break branches. Your juvenile plant needs to be left alone. But do take care to prevent branches from twisting together. You will be surprised how prolific the growth can be in its second spring. Warm Fall sunny days can cause plants to dry out when we least expect it so take precautions to prevent this. Avoid strong fertilizer as this will initiate soft sappy growth. Apply a 5:5:5 fertilizer next March and you are all set.
Amazing video Ian! The diagrams were brilliant. I've neglected my plant and it needs some serious branch pruning - would you recommend doing this now or in Winter?
@@PlantedwithIanCooke Thanks Ian :) Sharpened my secateurs today - actually did my Summer prune a couple weeks ago but this video was very helpful in terms of building the structure and hand. Need to go a bit more aggressive in removing some of the branches
This seems really good advice.. the diagrams were great.. but what if the house you’ve moved into already has a hugely overgrown wisteria with multiple branches intertwining and twisted.. I want to cut it all back, but your first diagram suggests this might just cause more problems on account on the root ball. I estimate the wisteria is around 7 years old. Does anyone have any advice please? I’m tempted just to get back and just have one or two main trunks going up
Have you seen it in flower? If it’s a choice variety or color it’s worth keeping. If the flowers are smaller with rampant growth it’s Wisteria sinensis and has no place in your garden. Wait until spring and see it flowers. Monrovia.com is a remarkable website for plant lovers, look at their images to help you better understand your choices. Good luck
@@PlantedwithIanCooke thank you for your reply. Yes it had some nice purple flowers in amongst the dense foliage which has been trained over the bay window, but not pruned. I’ve ended up cutting it right back so it’s just one main ‘trunk’ with very little off shoots.. we’ll see if it survives my butchery and hopefully then I can keep on top of it! Thanks again
Mine has gone up my very tall Holly Tree and from the top of the Holly tree has taken over next doors tree I didn’t realise it had grown so tall until about 3 years ago it appeared at the top of the Holly tree and it started to flower for the first time. It must be about 7 years old. How do I tame it. Shall I just cut it back to its base?
Be ruthless, cut back the side shoots and identify some key main branches. I have found that Wisteria calms down once it starts flowering heavily. But this is really important. You need to divide if the plant you have is worth keeping. Many Wisteria are seedling grown; they take years to flower and then the display is poor. Pay more money for a better quality plant that is in flower at the time of purchase.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke Thanks for getting back to me. I brought my wisteria as a good sized plant, I can’t recall if it was in flower when I brought it. The last 3 years it has flowered really well. The only problem is that grew up my very tall Holly tree. I have tried cutting it back but realise that I have to be more ruthless in order to control and maybe retrain how it grows, it is worth keeping as the flowers are really beautiful. It has a very thick trunk and it might kill my Holly tree and next doors elderflower tree if I don’t get it under control.
So what do you do with an overgrown 7 year old BEAST of a wisteria on a pergola, that has completely twisted upon itself? Do I take it down to the ground?
@@PlantedwithIanCooke It is the color I want and it blooms profusely. It is just unbelievably overgrown and I'd like to be able to start over with it in order to possibly train the growth across the pergola a little better. It seems to be choking itself out.
@@_Pelagikos14 you need to remove at least 50% of the growth this fall. Uncover some main stems and place them in better locations. It’s unlikely this can be achieved in one pruning. Start this fall, let it grow next spring and then next summer refine the shape
Small seed pods are visible in late summer. Do not be tempted to grow wisteria from seed. They take many years to flower (7+) and flower size, color and quantity are insignificant.
Select, grafted wisteria tend to be less vigorous and easier to manage. However, even a mild mannered wisteria, if left unattended will grow rampant. I have one next to my house and prune it 2 or 3 times a year and it is a great plant.
Does the wisteria root affect the foundation? Many blogs advise against growing it near the house due to roots getting under foundation, but I see them against buildings all over Europe. I would love to plant mine next to the house.
Unkept and abandon wisteria can cause damage. Straight Wisteria sinensis is very vigorous and has no place next to a foundation. I prune my wisteria 3 times a year to keep it in check.
It will need something on which it can grow. I recommend you avoid wire as it will fail in a few years and then you have a mess. You can tie it to a wood frame but you MUST prune it otherwise it will pull your frame apart. Remember, you are the boss. Use garden twine as it will degrade
Any advice for taking over a plant that's not been pruned properly in multiple years? Sounds like you'd advise cutting it back quite far so I don't get the mass growth at the tips?
Amcc, With colored tape identify 5 or 6 main branches that are evenly spaced. Tie a single color tape 18 inches apart on each of these main branches. This should prevent you from accidentally butchering the wrong main branch. Now remove a lot of the quarter inch and smaller diameter branches, this will help you see and get access to the plant and let in valuable sunlight. The next step is to remove those larger branches you do not need. Now take a step back and review you work, do not be too quick to keep on pruning. Sometimes is difficult to stop.
Could you explain how to grow a wisteria thats the same as the wisteria at the beginning of the video, one branch thats bald with flowers at the top. Im not sure if they grew one branch, or if they let it be bushy until it reached the disired height and then cut the weaker branches off at ground level.
Single stems are very attractive but I would encourage multiple stems say 3 or 4. This way should one get damaged you don't loose the entire display. Identify your chosen stem or stems and allow some side growth as this will thicken and strengthen the stem. When at your ideal height allow branching to increase before you trim the side branches on your main stem(s). The whole process to establish this structure is about 4 years.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke Hey thanks for the reply. I would like to try two stems in a figure of 8 formation that cross every 75cm, would that be doable or have you seen something similar? I thought a thick gauge wire to train them to would be best the way.
I recommend buying a wisteria in flower, that way you can be sure of flower color and it’s ability to flower as a young plant, Older Wisteria that don’t flower or flower poorly are typically grown from seed. They lack the genetic code to put on a attractive flower display and will not be able to wow you with their display. Dig it out and buy one in flower.
This video on 'how to tame a wisteria' is part of a series from English Plantsman Ian Cooke, who moved to the USA in 2000. This video shows you how to make your own plant propagator ua-cam.com/video/kDmCoZzmCr4/v-deo.html This video will show you how to grow Figs from a cutting ua-cam.com/video/IfkEIAhlPVA/v-deo.html. Happy growing
Ian, my wisteria has ended up like your first drawing. A big tangled ball of skinny branches. It stands freely in the garden and has no structure for support to grow up against. Not really sure where to start, other than at the bottom like you say. Wish me luck
A little effort will go along way. Identify 3 to 5 thick evenly spaced stems. Tie colored ribbons on the branches to help you navigate. A yellow stem a red stem a blue stem … Cut off some of the thin twisty growth to gain access and better view your next cuts. Start from the bottom a trim one stem at a time. Do not be startled at the amount you remove. Ideally you will have 3 to five main stems with each carrying some 12-24” side shoots and no twisting branches. You can do this
Wisteria sinensis is the common wisteria and in hot mild climates like those found in Atlanta Georgia this plant will freely set seed and grow. It is a thug and not to be cultivated or valued. There are well behaved selections with much better flowering tendencies and well mannered. Buy this iconic plants in flower to be sure of color.
Yes, don’t wait. Tie ribbons to main branches you want to keep. Identify a good frame work that allows light to reach the branches and start pruning. You can be more careful in the future but for now you need to regain control.
What if we want the plant to keep flowering, but we dont want it to keep gradually getting bigger and bigger each year? How could we maintain it at the size of say the pink growth, or pink and blue, but not the green? and if it gets to the size of the green, can we bring it back to a smaller size?
Wisteria can put on 6 feet of growth reliably each year. If you cut back an established Wisteria and reduce it be 50% or more it will grow back very vigorously and you are no better off. In your situation remove the majority of pencil thickness growth. This is the new growth that grows in one summer from April to September. Remove this in September - October and your plant will not increase in size year after year. Remember to establish the flowering hands as mentioned in the video. Good luck.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke Thanks. i guess i will just have to be extra vigilant as it matures. I have it potted, so i guess i can also trim and thin the roots to slow the growth? I just wasnt sure about it as ive heard they will only flower on new growth. i guess maybe i could prune soon after the flowers are gone though, so that new growth wont be permanent. Thanks for responding, really appreciate it. New to all this and quite excited about it, but the last thing i want is for it to overgrow and end up having to destroy it or something. Thanks for the help!
@@MakeEterniaGreatAgain Wisteria needs to be planted in the ground in a permanent location. It will not grow reliably in a pot. Nurseries sell their plants in pots as they are easy to handle and they can give them the water and nutrients to grow while in a a juvenile state.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke Thanks, really appreciate you taking the time to respond. slowly gathering bits of knowledge and advice and keeping notes. Thanks again
Hi Ian, your diagram is fantastic where one can visually see how the framework is maintained. My wisteria was overgrown and needed a good hard prune this summer. I pruned the 3 main stems by 1/3, each now about 5 feet in length with about an inch of green growth at their tips; no side shoots or hand frameworks exist at this time. I saw your video after the fact so next time I won't prune so extreme. At this point, based on your diagram, should I see new growth/shoots from the sides and the tips in the spring? I assume those shoots and their own shoots should be pruned back to 12 inches or maybe shorter provided there is 12 inches of growth. I also suspect I won't have any flowers until the following year. Does this analysis sound about right to you?
A good pruning in summer allows the remaining framework to ‘ripen’ with exposure to sunlight. It’s likely you will see some new growth later this growing season. Next early spring look for fat, round buds. These are flower buds. You might get luck and get flowers next year.
Braiding is a creative solution but do take care to only braid those branches you want to keep. You will benefit from pruning those branches you do not need.
Shelle, thank you for your feed back. My earlier videos, including this Wisteria video, were made with minimal audio equipment. I have since upgraded my audio substantially.
This was painful to watch. Slow and meandering. I looked for guidance to "tame" a plant that hadn't been touched for 2 years from planting. The video shows what NOT to do ("butcher" the plant) then instead of showing how that unmanaged and excessive growth should be dealt with, the video goes back in time and shows us how to manage the plant from day one. So the solution is a time machine?
This was one of my earlier videos and it did end up longer than planned. I like to think my current videos are a little more to the point. Do not be afraid to remove the excessive narrow new growth as you need to uncover a framework of larger stems and branches. Butchering is to be avoided.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke I now do some work for a chap who believes his wisteria will magically grow in the direction he wants. I know enough about these plants to know they aren't psychic and need physical guidance. The plant is currently 7ft foot high and I have recently tied new/soft growth to the pillars it needs to grow along in an upwards and outwards direction. (I have some trellis I'm about to mount that will help with this.) I have a problem with the plant (and its owner) because some older 'woody' growth, at a height of about 4ft, grew perpendicular to the main thrust of vertical growth. A woody branch sticks out at 90' to the main stem. It seems too solid to bend or persuade elsewhere. I want to cut it, and guide new growth upwards, but the owner has concerns. I was here to find out if there is another solution?
Very clear and helpful. I now might have the the courage to tackle my 50 year old neglected wisteria
Best video I have seen on this subject by far. The other videos only explain how to prune an established plant - not how to manage a new plant in its first few years. This is what most people need to know. Thank you from the UK.
Totally agree, by far. The videos I've seen before are mostly on huge wisterias that require maintenance only. This video is more about forming the wisteria. Bravo.
Excellent guide to wisteria training.
Lots of similar 'guides' just talk of pruning growing points to 3 or 5 buds... But this still results in explosion unwanted growth.
This video tells you exactly how to do it right!
Thank you
Very comprehensive tutorial. I just love pruning wisteria!
Thank you; I like your reference oaks
@@PlantedwithIanCooke Thanks for noticing!
Probably the best video I’ve seen on wisteria so far! Mine is going to get a haircut next month
Thank you
Definitely the best video I’ve seen on Wisteria pruning! The diagrams were super useful to understand. Wish I had seen it a few years ago. Some serious winter pruning coming up for my Wisteria in a week or two...
Sachin, I am glad you like it. Wisteria are a great plant but get a bad reputation from such vigorous growth. None or poor pruning just makes it worse.
Good luck on your pruning.
I completely agree. The diagrams were so helpful, especially the dots.
The color coded illustrations are super helpful. Best video/instruction on wisteria pruning I've found yet.
Thanks!!!
Thank you for your enthusiasm, do have a wisteria?
Excellent guide. Very helpful. Thank you
Thank you
Excellent explanation and demonstration. This is the video I have been looking for.
The best video so far on pruning wisteria.
Thank you
My daughter and her husband just bought a house and there’s a trellis with two completely feral wisteria plants growing on it. This has given me a clear idea of how to help her rein them in. Thanks!
Wish I had watched this 40 years ago.
Me, mine got too wild already
Great explanatory video! Loved the illustrations, made it very easy to understand how to prune. I’m sure I will watch many times as I train my wisteria. Thank you.
Excellent video!! Thanks so much for the detailed explanation. Now I understand.
Thank you and happy pruning
Very helpfully explained thanks.
Thank you.Excellent video.
Beautiful plant....50 years old wow!!
Fantastic video . I was terrified of wisteria before this
This is a fantastic video. Thanks so much for the clear explanation. We've recently bought a house with a large-ish wisteria that has been let go for several years with just minimal pruning. I've got LOADS of growth above the arbor that is out of control and didn't produce much in the way of flowers. I'm going to try to introduce some structure this winter. I'd love to see another video on getting a mature plant under control.
Best video i seen on Wisteria so far. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us 😊
I am glad you like it. Back when I made this video I had little filming experience and did not get the sound right. Recent videos have benefitted from a dedicated microphone. Lots more good horticulture to come.
Maybe after 5 times watching will get the hang of it. Thanks!
@@billrobbins5874 OMG I was thinking the same thing..... mine is 2 years old, and I'd say it's A MESS... another vid said Aug. is prune time ..... it's HOT out there!!
Nice diagram! Very helpful.
Best video I’ve seen, the little pics are so helpful!
I am pleased you liked them
Thank you, this is what I needed to see. We have an arch with two wisterias growing over it, one suddenly almost died two years ago, now revived, and the other one growing mad all over. I pruned both last year but the strong one keeps growing so needed to see how to properly tame it . I sometimes look at the houses with beautiful old wisterias - probably 30 years of age, and think they probably never get pruned!! Having watched a few videos I found similarities with how I prune my climbing roses. I think it is the same principle but I still need to work on my understanding of a wisteria. Thanks again!
Don’t let the wisteria take over, it’s your garden. You are in charge.
Really helpful information for someone who likes to give wisteria vine a shape to a tree from. I really appreciate him for this posting! I will try to find his additional videoes...
Thank you sir for this crisp explanation
Glad you liked it. There is lots more on the Planted Channel
this is super helpful! I just purchased a wisteria and would love more informational videos like these! : )
Hi Jaz M. Currently there are over 30 videos on the Planted Courtyard Channel. Each of them feature specific tasks to achieve a particular outcome. I focus on posting the task at the time of year it needs to be completed. Attending to tasks 'out of season' will hold you back. Enjoy the videos.
Thankyou, mine is 25 yrs old. Will give it major prune in spring. Got the twiny whiny's all over the place!
Good luck and happy growing.
I trained mine on a wooden stake and it has a lovely canopy on the top with a weeping top, its easier for me to control it.
Thank you so very much for this detailed explanation and sketches even.... Now I have a clearer idea
So very helpful - thank you!
May 18 2022 mine has finally climbed I’ve had it two years it is everywhere. And it’s balling up at the top of my pillar. This helped so much
Be ruthless. It’s your garden
Superb. Beautifully explanation.
Thank you. Where in the world are you growing plants?
Thank you so much, i just bought one yesterday, unfortunately it has no flowers on it so I'll have to wait and be surprised when it blooms in a couple of years😂 your tips were very helpful i will definitely try and follow them, i was wondering how close to the house can we plant them, how aggressive is the root system of wisterias, i just hope it wont go under the house and destroy the house
Great video ! am now confident to hard prune my customers wisteria jungle.
Be ruthless in uncovering your five main branches and use colored tape to on those branches. Good luck
This was fantastic. Any chance of doing a wisteria troubleshooting video? I have sudden dieback on a 40-year-old wisteria, and there aren’t really any videos out there, or much in the way of advice.
Wisteria can live many decades; soil, location, genetics all play their part in plant success. 40 years is good, take a cutting and start the plant all over again
Hi. I’ve inherited beautiful wisteria with a house I’ve purchased 5 years ago. It is very reminiscent of the “night” of your drawing examples. The main plant has grown into a wall-like mass of 3”-5” intertwining trunks. I’ve only just noticed it’s trellised on an old freestanding wood gate about 4’x5’. Over the 5 years I have been pruning and trimming to relieve some beautiful huge blueberry bushes the wisteria had been choking out. It also has vines that have traveled and rooted as far as 20-30 feet from the main. It’s twined through fencing, other trees, the ground. I’ve basically been pruning to keep it from taking over but I’d like to start training it to be the best and most beautiful it can be. Do you have any advice or videos on training massive overgrowth both twining and encompassing neighboring trees and bushes as well as taking over garden bed ground cover root system? Thank you so much for your help.
Wonderful video thank you so much.
Thank you, lots more to come. Spread the word and tell your friends.
That was very informative. I just received a small twig of wisteria
Excellent step by step instructions!! Thanks!! 🌸
Thank you
I would love to view a similar step by step video(s) showing how to prune various types of roses (climbing, rambling, shrub).😀 Thanks in advance
I’m thinking of adding one to my garden/yard and this is so helpful! I love plugging along outside trimming stuff so this is my ideal specimen lol
They are fine plants. Buy it in flower to be sure of the color and plant in full sun to promote flowering.
thank you very much very helpfull, i have 2 young wisterias 😅 need to prune tomorrow
How did your pruning go?
Great video. I wonder if air layering works with this. They take so long it'd be cool to get mature plants from it. I'm seeing a few of these now.
Lovely, I do love wisteria 😊
I planted new ones in the spring and they are doing well currently in the summer. However when I take the new young vines and move them to train them. The ends die back about 6 inches. Even though I am barely moving them??
This is great! Thanks so much for such an informative video. If a wisteria has very large old branches that have not been trained correctly would you remove them over a few years? Is it pos to promote new growth from the base to train in as new stems? Im looking at renovating a large wisteria that is growing over a big pergola. Ideally would the stems wind round or just sit on top of the timber 'roof' with flowers dangling through.? Any advice much appreciated!
This can be achieved and would be successful lover a 3 year time span. If you can avoid winding the branches
Another option is to entirely remove the old plant and start again with a new choice plant and perhaps plant it in a better location. The new plant will be vigorous and be your choice of flower color. Make sure you buy it in flower
Thanks! It's not my plant and owner keen to keep it so regeneration is only option but your video and advice has been very helpful.
Fabulous 😊 thank you
Thank you for watching my videos, I how it helped.
Good advice that I could hear but a long parts of video sound was so low I couldn't hear it even though my volume was fully up.
Annette, thank you for your feed back. This was one of my earlier videos where I was getting to grips with background noise and wind sound. I upgraded to a much better microphone .
I love the diagrams. I just cut the crap out of mine. Any advice for what to do when there are old thick stumps leading to uncontrolled growth?
Keep cutting and stay on top of it in future years
Thank you for your excelent explanation!
I need some advice. My Wisteria is about 7years old and one particular branch is over the neighbours property/evergreen. I choped it about 24'' from base. Unable to stop the bleeding! HELP?
Do you mean the stem you cut is weeping? If so it’s normal at this time of year. It will stop.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke . yES! ONE OF THE THREE MAIN BRANCHES. I have used a hose clamp to help cut the flow and was thinking of burning the end. I hope that will help?
No hose clamp required
Over the years I'm guessing that the main trunk behind the gutter will push against the back of the gutter and cause issues. What would you do then? I have an older wisteria with the thicker main branches pushed through and started breaking the trellis structure.
There is a dent in the gutter downspout already. At this pruning,I think I'd have detached the downspout and relocated behind the vine while the trunk will still twist a bit.
Omg I wish I would of seen your video before.
My wisteria has fallen of the peak porch its so heavy its covering the entrance so I had to cut it I cut it at the bottom so when hoisting back up for now until all the beautiful fragrance flowers are gone iv not done a very good job over the 25 years and as you explained in the first drawing example that's it .
Needs a good thinning out but I'm afraid I will ruin it and it won't flower . Any advice I would appreciate.
Thank you
Watch the video a few times and establish a few main branches. It will bounce back with vigorous growth. Don’t be scared.
Excellent video
Edit: do you recommend planting this against a backyard south facing fence that separates part of my next door neighbors yard from us? We live in north east Oklahoma and in an area far enough away from any kind of exterior walls. The fence is average height about 6’ is my guess
Yes you can. If left to grow without pruning it will eat the fence. Buy in in flower to be sure of color.
My wisteria is well planted flowering and beautiful and has been for years. I just bought this home, should I be pruning all new red growth from the root pool?
What red growth? Prune twisting branches back to 6 and 12 inches long.
What if u missed pruning in 1st year(summer) is there a way to catch up in pruning in 2nd summer??? Tk u gr8 video
Don’t be shy, get the clippers out and remove most of the very thin new growth first. With that removed you can easily see the framework of main branches and prune to maximize that shape. Don’t delay. Thank you
Thank u! Im gonna sign up for u patereon....fyi..im in Northen Ct..lol!
Northeastern ct
i currently have the alternative ;( after 4 years planted. So I have some work to do this winter. Many of the vines have twisted on each other. Should I leave that alone or select one to remain and, piece by piece, prune out the others that are twisted on the main?
Tie red tape in multiple locations on a good stem you want to keep. Do the same with blue and green tape. Identify at least 3 stems and remove the side shoots up to about 5 feet high. This will really open up the plant and you can see what you have got. Prune side shoots from ground level first moving up. As you cut pull all cut branches before you continue to cut.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke : thank you so much. I've learned so much from your video and will do exactly(I will try to do) as you say. Hope your 2023 year is fantastic! Peace.
Thank you for all your advices! I did plant one Wisteria this spring and it s started to grow and spread with nice leaves. I has two strings/branches only. Please, let me know how should I prepare it for winter time?
Simona, thank you for your question. Assuming there are mature and established Wisteria growing in your area then you are on the road to success. Older Wisteria will benefit from a prune when the leafs turn yellow and start to fall off. This is to improve shape and reduce areas of heavy growth that may break branches. Your juvenile plant needs to be left alone. But do take care to prevent branches from twisting together. You will be surprised how prolific the growth can be in its second spring. Warm Fall sunny days can cause plants to dry out when we least expect it so take precautions to prevent this. Avoid strong fertilizer as this will initiate soft sappy growth. Apply a 5:5:5 fertilizer next March and you are all set.
Great! Thank yew!
Great video - thanks.
I am glad you like it, there are lots more plant videos to see at ‘The Planted Courtyard’ channel
Amazing video Ian! The diagrams were brilliant. I've neglected my plant and it needs some serious branch pruning - would you recommend doing this now or in Winter?
Don’t delay, get in there now and take control
@@PlantedwithIanCooke Thanks Ian :) Sharpened my secateurs today - actually did my Summer prune a couple weeks ago but this video was very helpful in terms of building the structure and hand. Need to go a bit more aggressive in removing some of the branches
@@hiteshpankhania6211 have a look at this video . ua-cam.com/video/-oJQ9-cjz2g/v-deo.html
VERY helpful!!!
This seems really good advice.. the diagrams were great.. but what if the house you’ve moved into already has a hugely overgrown wisteria with multiple branches intertwining and twisted.. I want to cut it all back, but your first diagram suggests this might just cause more problems on account on the root ball. I estimate the wisteria is around 7 years old. Does anyone have any advice please? I’m tempted just to get back and just have one or two main trunks going up
Have you seen it in flower? If it’s a choice variety or color it’s worth keeping. If the flowers are smaller with rampant growth it’s Wisteria sinensis and has no place in your garden. Wait until spring and see it flowers.
Monrovia.com is a remarkable website for plant lovers, look at their images to help you better understand your choices.
Good luck
@@PlantedwithIanCooke thank you for your reply. Yes it had some nice purple flowers in amongst the dense foliage which has been trained over the bay window, but not pruned. I’ve ended up cutting it right back so it’s just one main ‘trunk’ with very little off shoots.. we’ll see if it survives my butchery and hopefully then I can keep on top of it! Thanks again
Mine has gone up my very tall Holly Tree and from the top of the Holly tree has taken over next doors tree I didn’t realise it had grown so tall until about 3 years ago it appeared at the top of the Holly tree and it started to flower for the first time. It must be about 7 years old. How do I tame it. Shall I just cut it back to its base?
Be ruthless, cut back the side shoots and identify some key main branches. I have found that Wisteria calms down once it starts flowering heavily.
But this is really important. You need to divide if the plant you have is worth keeping. Many Wisteria are seedling grown; they take years to flower and then the display is poor. Pay more money for a better quality plant that is in flower at the time of purchase.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke
Thanks for getting back to me. I brought my wisteria as a good sized plant, I can’t recall if it was in flower when I brought it. The last 3 years it has flowered really well. The only problem is that grew up my very tall Holly tree. I have tried cutting it back but realise that I have to be more ruthless in order to control and maybe retrain how it grows, it is worth keeping as the flowers are really beautiful. It has a very thick trunk and it might kill my Holly tree and next doors elderflower tree if I don’t get it under control.
So what do you do with an overgrown 7 year old BEAST of a wisteria on a pergola, that has completely twisted upon itself? Do I take it down to the ground?
Does it flower? Is it the color you want? Is it in the right location? If not remove it completely.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke It is the color I want and it blooms profusely. It is just unbelievably overgrown and I'd like to be able to start over with it in order to possibly train the growth across the pergola a little better. It seems to be choking itself out.
@@_Pelagikos14 you need to remove at least 50% of the growth this fall. Uncover some main stems and place them in better locations. It’s unlikely this can be achieved in one pruning. Start this fall, let it grow next spring and then next summer refine the shape
How dangerous is wisteria root system for buildings?
Any plants if neglected can damage foundations.
When do seed pods form?
Small seed pods are visible in late summer. Do not be tempted to grow wisteria from seed. They take many years to flower (7+) and flower size, color and quantity are insignificant.
Is it safe too plant wisteria right next too your home, I'm concerned about the roots damaging the foundation of my house.
Select, grafted wisteria tend to be less vigorous and easier to manage. However, even a mild mannered wisteria, if left unattended will grow rampant. I have one next to my house and prune it 2 or 3 times a year and it is a great plant.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke thanks for getting back too me 👍 I'll keep that in mind.
Does the wisteria root affect the foundation? Many blogs advise against growing it near the house due to roots getting under foundation, but I see them against buildings all over Europe. I would love to plant mine next to the house.
Unkept and abandon wisteria can cause damage. Straight Wisteria sinensis is very vigorous and has no place next to a foundation. I prune my wisteria 3 times a year to keep it in check.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke thank you! I have a sinensis. Do you recommend them on a pergola? Or an alternative species of wisteria?
@@keihemminger8012 dig out the sinensis and treat yourself to a choice, grafted wisteria this spring that you buy in flower to be sure of the color
Does wisteria need wires or something to grow up or be guided by, or can you just grow it up a wall and it'll support itself?
It will need something on which it can grow. I recommend you avoid wire as it will fail in a few years and then you have a mess. You can tie it to a wood frame but you MUST prune it otherwise it will pull your frame apart. Remember, you are the boss.
Use garden twine as it will degrade
Any advice for taking over a plant that's not been pruned properly in multiple years? Sounds like you'd advise cutting it back quite far so I don't get the mass growth at the tips?
Amcc, With colored tape identify 5 or 6 main branches that are evenly spaced. Tie a single color tape 18 inches apart on each of these main branches. This should prevent you from accidentally butchering the wrong main branch. Now remove a lot of the quarter inch and smaller diameter branches, this will help you see and get access to the plant and let in valuable sunlight. The next step is to remove those larger branches you do not need. Now take a step back and review you work, do not be too quick to keep on pruning. Sometimes is difficult to stop.
Could you explain how to grow a wisteria thats the same as the wisteria at the beginning of the video, one branch thats bald with flowers at the top. Im not sure if they grew one branch, or if they let it be bushy until it reached the disired height and then cut the weaker branches off at ground level.
Single stems are very attractive but I would encourage multiple stems say 3 or 4. This way should one get damaged you don't loose the entire display. Identify your chosen stem or stems and allow some side growth as this will thicken and strengthen the stem. When at your ideal height allow branching to increase before you trim the side branches on your main stem(s). The whole process to establish this structure is about 4 years.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke Hey thanks for the reply. I would like to try two stems in a figure of 8 formation that cross every 75cm, would that be doable or have you seen something similar? I thought a thick gauge wire to train them to would be best the way.
Hi, I planted from seeds, for 15 years never flowers! Any suggestion?
I recommend buying a wisteria in flower, that way you can be sure of flower color and it’s ability to flower as a young plant,
Older Wisteria that don’t flower or flower poorly are typically grown from seed. They lack the genetic code to put on a attractive flower display and will not be able to wow you with their display. Dig it out and buy one in flower.
This video on 'how to tame a wisteria' is part of a series from English Plantsman Ian Cooke, who moved to the USA in 2000.
This video shows you how to make your own plant propagator ua-cam.com/video/kDmCoZzmCr4/v-deo.html
This video will show you how to grow Figs from a cutting ua-cam.com/video/IfkEIAhlPVA/v-deo.html. Happy growing
Ian, my wisteria has ended up like your first drawing. A big tangled ball of skinny branches. It stands freely in the garden and has no structure for support to grow up against. Not really sure where to start, other than at the bottom like you say. Wish me luck
A little effort will go along way.
Identify 3 to 5 thick evenly spaced stems. Tie colored ribbons on the branches to help you navigate. A yellow stem a red stem a blue stem …
Cut off some of the thin twisty growth to gain access and better view your next cuts.
Start from the bottom a trim one stem at a time. Do not be startled at the amount you remove. Ideally you will have 3 to five main stems with each carrying some 12-24” side shoots and no twisting branches. You can do this
ours lifted a retaining wall a couple of inches, it had to go
Wisteria sinensis is the common wisteria and in hot mild climates like those found in Atlanta Georgia this plant will freely set seed and grow. It is a thug and not to be cultivated or valued.
There are well behaved selections with much better flowering tendencies and well mannered. Buy this iconic plants in flower to be sure of color.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke thanks, will have to look into what we have, got 4 of them, 2 different colors and in australia
I have an out of control huge mess. Can I prune going into winter in Australia? It’s around 11-17c right now.
Yes, don’t wait. Tie ribbons to main branches you want to keep. Identify a good frame work that allows light to reach the branches and start pruning.
You can be more careful in the future but for now you need to regain control.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke thanks Ian!
What if we want the plant to keep flowering, but we dont want it to keep gradually getting bigger and bigger each year? How could we maintain it at the size of say the pink growth, or pink and blue, but not the green? and if it gets to the size of the green, can we bring it back to a smaller size?
Wisteria can put on 6 feet of growth reliably each year. If you cut back an established Wisteria and reduce it be 50% or more it will grow back very vigorously and you are no better off. In your situation remove the majority of pencil thickness growth. This is the new growth that grows in one summer from April to September. Remove this in September - October and your plant will not increase in size year after year. Remember to establish the flowering hands as mentioned in the video. Good luck.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke Thanks. i guess i will just have to be extra vigilant as it matures. I have it potted, so i guess i can also trim and thin the roots to slow the growth? I just wasnt sure about it as ive heard they will only flower on new growth. i guess maybe i could prune soon after the flowers are gone though, so that new growth wont be permanent.
Thanks for responding, really appreciate it. New to all this and quite excited about it, but the last thing i want is for it to overgrow and end up having to destroy it or something. Thanks for the help!
@@MakeEterniaGreatAgain Wisteria needs to be planted in the ground in a permanent location. It will not grow reliably in a pot. Nurseries sell their plants in pots as they are easy to handle and they can give them the water and nutrients to grow while in a a juvenile state.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke Thanks, really appreciate you taking the time to respond. slowly gathering bits of knowledge and advice and keeping notes. Thanks again
my wisteria is one year old and I dont know how to prune im live in ocala florida
It will grow fast. What variety is it?
Nonway would I plant anywhere near the house
Hi Ian, your diagram is fantastic where one can visually see how the framework is maintained. My wisteria was overgrown and needed a good hard prune this summer. I pruned the 3 main stems by 1/3, each now about 5 feet in length with about an inch of green growth at their tips; no side shoots or hand frameworks exist at this time. I saw your video after the fact so next time I won't prune so extreme. At this point, based on your diagram, should I see new growth/shoots from the sides and the tips in the spring? I assume those shoots and their own shoots should be pruned back to 12 inches or maybe shorter provided there is 12 inches of growth. I also suspect I won't have any flowers until the following year. Does this analysis sound about right to you?
A good pruning in summer allows the remaining framework to ‘ripen’ with exposure to sunlight. It’s likely you will see some new growth later this growing season. Next early spring look for fat, round buds. These are flower buds. You might get luck and get flowers next year.
Your assessment sounds good. Observation is a large part of plant success.
😅tired
6
I'd be happy if it blooms at all.....lol
i braid my vines
Braiding is a creative solution but do take care to only braid those branches you want to keep. You will benefit from pruning those branches you do not need.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke most assuredly...if you braid from. The base you can raise a free standing tree....your garden is lovely
With my wisteria it is more like “how to time waste and attempt to tame wisteria”
Don’t give up, keep on trying
Audio is very weak, please improve on future videos.
Shelle, thank you for your feed back. My earlier videos, including this Wisteria video, were made with minimal audio equipment. I have since upgraded my audio substantially.
Omgoodness this is the into music to Christian prince - who debates Muslims lol
He is famous in his Christian apologetics
This was painful to watch. Slow and meandering. I looked for guidance to "tame" a plant that hadn't been touched for 2 years from planting. The video shows what NOT to do ("butcher" the plant) then instead of showing how that unmanaged and excessive growth should be dealt with, the video goes back in time and shows us how to manage the plant from day one. So the solution is a time machine?
This was one of my earlier videos and it did end up longer than planned. I like to think my current videos are a little more to the point. Do not be afraid to remove the excessive narrow new growth as you need to uncover a framework of larger stems and branches. Butchering is to be avoided.
@@PlantedwithIanCooke I now do some work for a chap who believes his wisteria will magically grow in the direction he wants. I know enough about these plants to know they aren't psychic and need physical guidance. The plant is currently 7ft foot high and I have recently tied new/soft growth to the pillars it needs to grow along in an upwards and outwards direction. (I have some trellis I'm about to mount that will help with this.) I have a problem with the plant (and its owner) because some older 'woody' growth, at a height of about 4ft, grew perpendicular to the main thrust of vertical growth. A woody branch sticks out at 90' to the main stem. It seems too solid to bend or persuade elsewhere. I want to cut it, and guide new growth upwards, but the owner has concerns. I was here to find out if there is another solution?
Wonderful explanation! Thank you
Thank you
Great video! Thanks
Great video, thank you.