Description

Sweetly fragrant, Wisteria sinensis (Chinese Wisteria) is a large deciduous climber with twining stems that is prized by gardeners for its vigorous habit, beauty and sweet fragrance. Masses of drooping clusters, up to 30 cm long, of scented, pea-like, mauve flowers appear in late spring before the leaves. Since they bloom more or less simultaneously, they always produce a dramatic floral display. The flowers are followed by attractive, velvety, bean-like pods, 15 cm long, which ripen in fall and may persist into winter. Equally attractive is the foliage of dark green, pinnate leaves which consist of 7 to 13 leaflets to about 7 cm in length.