

Backfill the holes with a few inches of class 5 gravel, level it down to keep each post nice and straight, and then repeat. Your pergola should be set at least 54-60 inches into the ground, with concrete footing or pea gravel to set it in place. If you build your own pergola using wood, I recommend using at least 4x4s for the main posts. Select or build a pergola with durable materials, like pressure-treated or rot-resistant wood (like cedar or redwood), heavy metal pipe, and beams set in concrete. These plants are known for pulling down pergolas, arbors, and fences that aren’t strong enough or become weakened by weathering over time. When Wisteria flowers, it’s even heavier. This vine can become heavy and massive, reaching up to 100-feet in length and living for 50 years or more. Your pergola must be very sturdy if you plan to cover it in Wisteria. A pergola that’s large enough to support the massive weight of the mature plant has posts that are likely too large to effectively climb when the plant is young, which is why you’ll need to give it a little bit of assistance.

Wisteria doesn’t have suckers or adhesives to help it climb, so it needs something to twist around. Without some training, the plant will grow wildly and have an unkempt appearance. It’s a “seeker” type plant that will make its way into any nook and cranny it can find as it continues its movement upward. Wisteria is a highly trainable plant because it’s eager to climb and grows very quickly.
#Wisteria twig how to
How to Train Wisteria to Grow Up a Pergola You can read all about this and what else you can expect from your Wisteria plant each season in this article. Wisteria is a deciduous plant, so it will lose its foliage each winter, but even the bare stems and vines have a look of fantasy and whimsy to them. The twisting vines will climb their way up to the top and create a canopy across it, leaving you with a shaded shelter of greenery. However, if you’re not seeing blooms after three to five years, you may just have a stubborn plant that’s waiting on ideal conditions or is an extra slow bloomer.Įven without blooms, Wisteria is a beautiful sight on a pergola. Don’t get disappointed if you have to wait at least three seasons before you see flowers Wisteria is worth the patience. Some Wisteria can take many years to bloom, but many will begin to flower within the first few years. Planting Wisteria to climb a pergola is a great way to keep the plant contained so long as you keep up with pruning and maintenance. Mature Wisteria vines can grow up to 75-100 feet long, becoming exceptionally heavy. Because of its twining growth pattern, Wisteria relies heavily on their support structures as they twist their way upward. It also doesn’t have grabber-like stems like grape vines or clematis. Wisteria is a twining vine, so it doesn’t have sticky clingers to adhere to surfaces like Virginia creeper or Boston ivy can.

However, without the proper support and maintenance, Wisteria can quickly get out of control and overtake weak structures. Your Wisteria will give your pergola an entirely new look, providing shade and becoming a stunning focal point for your yard or garden. Then, you can train your Wisteria to climb in the right direction. However, you’ll need to make sure that the pergola is sturdy enough to support the plant’s weight. You can absolutely grow Wisteria on your pergola! Wisteria is a vigorous climber that will grow on basically any structure. I’ll also share some recommendations for pergolas that are both visually appealing and can provide the support your Wisteria needs. This article will explain how to plant and grow Wisteria on a pergola, which varieties you should consider, and how to care for and maintain your vine. Wisteria is easy to plant and grow, but some varieties are better suited for your pergola than others.

Train your Wisteria to grow up to the top of the pergola, then prune it to encourage side shoots. To grow Wisteria on your pergola, you’ll need to ensure the structure is strong and sturdy. This vigorously growing vine is ideal for climbing on pergolas and other structures, but it can get out of control without proper maintenance and attention. Wisteria is one of the most whimsical blooming vines out there, with showstopping blooms in shades of purple and blue that dangle like bunches of grapes each spring.
