Japanese Wisteria Wisteria floribunda 'Domino'
ABOUT
Wisteria floribunda 'Domino', commonly known as Japanese wisteria, is an attractive climbing plant known for its striking cascades of flowers. This variety, 'Domino', features long, pendulous clusters of flowers, often referred to as racemes. The blooms are a delightful pale lavender-blue hue, with a sweet fragrance that can perfume an entire garden. Each individual flower is small, delicate, and possesses a classic pea-shaped form, which is characteristic of plants in the pea family. The blooms emerge in late spring to early summer and hang gracefully from the vine, creating a romantic and enchanting effect. In full bloom, the clusters can be quite dense and prolific, resulting in a visually impactful floral display. This makes 'Domino' a popular choice among gardeners looking to add a touch of drama and natural beauty to arbors, trellises, or fences. Additionally, the foliage of Japanese wisteria adds to its charm, with light to medium green leaves that have a pinnate structure, meaning they are made up of several small, oblong leaflets arranged on either side of a central stem. The leaves create a lush backdrop for the flowers and provide dense coverage over structures. The foliage often turns a golden hue in the fall, offering seasonal interest even after the flowers have faded. The bark of the mature vines is another attractive trait, which becomes rugged and gnarled over time, adding a sense of age and majesty to the plant. Hardy and vigorous, Japanese wisteria 'Domino' is a plant that demands attention when in bloom, thanks to its vigor, floriferous nature, and the exquisite beauty of its distinctive trailing flowers.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae
Synonyms
Japanese Wisteria, Floribunda Wisteria, Domino Wisteria
Common names
Wisteria floribunda 'Domino'.
ToxicityTo humans
Japanese wisteria is known to be toxic if ingested. All parts of the plant contain glycosides, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, and sometimes depression of the central nervous system. In severe cases, symptoms could progress to dizziness, confusion, speech problems, and collapse. It's important to seek medical attention if any part of the plant is ingested as poisoning can be serious.
To pets
Japanese wisteria is also poisonous to pets and can cause similar symptoms as in humans. If a pet ingests any part of the plant, they may experience vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and depression. In severe cases, ingestion could lead to more serious effects such as tremors, seizures, and collapse. It is crucial to contact a veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has ingested Japanese wisteria.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Lavender
Height
10-25 feet (3-7.6 meters)
Spread
10-30 feet (3-9.1 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Japan
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Wisteria floribunda 'Domino' features cascading clusters of lilac-blue to violet flowers, adding a striking visual element to gardens and landscapes.
- Fragrance: The flowers emit a sweet scent, which can enhance the sensory experience of a space.
- Shade Provision: Once established, the dense foliage can provide shade and cooler areas beneath its canopy.
- Vertical Interest: It can be trained to grow on arbors, trellises, and pergolas, adding height and structure to garden designs.
- Habitat for Wildlife: Provides nectar for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and the dense foliage can offer shelter for birds.
- Longevity: Wisteria is a long-lived plant, capable of thriving for decades with proper care.
- Seasonal Interest: Offers multiple seasons of interest, including spring flowers, summer foliage, and in some cases, attractive seed pods in autumn.
- Privacy Screening: Can be used to create natural screens for privacy in gardens and outdoor living areas.
- Erosion Control: Its root system can help stabilize soil on slopes, reducing erosion.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Wisteria bonsai: Wisteria floribunda 'Domino' can be trained into a bonsai form, making a spectacular miniature representation of the full-sized tree.
- Natural dye: The flowers can be used to create a natural dye, which can impart a soft purple color to fabrics and yarn.
- Culinary delight: In some cultures, wisteria flowers are pickled or used as a garnish, although it's important to note that not all parts of the plant are edible and some are toxic.
- Photography backdrop: The cascading blossoms of the wisteria make for a stunning and popular photography backdrop for weddings and other special events.
- Livestock fodder: Although not a common use, in some areas where other fodder is scarce, the leaves may be fed to livestock with caution due to potential toxicity.
- Art inspiration: The plant's striking appearance and distinctive blooms have inspired artists to use them as subjects in paintings, drawings, and textile designs.
- Fragrance extraction: The scent of wisteria flowers can be used in perfumery, capturing the plant's sweet fragrance in a bottle.
- Garden structures: Strong, mature wisteria vines can be used as natural supports for other climbing plants, offering a living trellis.
- Wood crafts: The wood of Wisteria floribunda 'Domino' can be used in small woodworking projects due to its twisting patterns and durability.
- Symbolism: In the language of flowers, wisteria symbolizes welcome and is often planted near the entrance of a home or garden as a gesture of hospitality.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiWisteria is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityWisteria is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Longevity â Wisteria can live for many years, often growing on old buildings and trees, symbolizing endurance and the passage of time.
- Love and Romance â With its cascading blooms, wisteria is often associated with love and can symbolize the sweeping and overwhelming emotions that come with romance.
- Wisdom â In some cultures, wisteria is seen as a symbol of wisdom due to its age and ability to thrive in various conditions.
- Good Luck â In East Asia, notably Japan, wisteria is a popular symbol for good luck and is often found in art and festival decorations.
- Spiritual Ascension â The way wisteria vines climb upwards is sometimes associated with a journey towards enlightenment or spiritual growth.
WaterJapanese Wisteria should be watered deeply once a week, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, particularly in the warmer months, you may need to water more frequently, up to twice a week, depending on the weather conditions. It is important to provide about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water at each watering session to properly saturate the roots. If rainfall is adequate, reduce manual watering to prevent overwatering. During winter, when the plant is dormant, you can cut back on watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions.
LightJapanese Wisteria thrives best in full sun, needing at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to bloom abundantly. Planting in an area where it can receive unfiltered sunlight throughout the day is ideal. If the plant does not get enough light, it may not produce as many flower clusters, so make sure to choose a sunny spot for the best floral display.
TemperatureThe Japanese Wisteria is hardy and can tolerate temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit, but the ideal temperature for healthy growth and flowering ranges from 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive short periods of hotter temperatures, but prolonged exposure to temperatures over 85 degrees Fahrenheit may stress the plant.
PruningJapanese Wisteria should be pruned to maintain its shape and size and to encourage flowering. Prune in late winter before new growth begins, cutting back the previous year's growth to a few buds to shape the plant and promote bloom. Additionally, prune again in mid-summer if necessary to control rampant growth. Properly pruned wisteria can produce more flowers and prevent the vine from becoming too heavy and overgrown.
CleaningAs needed
SoilJapanese Wisteria 'Domino' thrives in rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A mix of loam, peat, and coarse sand or perlite is ideal, ensuring good aeration and moisture retention. Annual incorporation of compost can enhance soil fertility, promoting healthier blooms.
RepottingJapanese Wisteria 'Domino' in containers should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it becomes root-bound. It's best to repot in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
Humidity & MistingJapanese Wisteria 'Domino' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity conditions. It grows best outdoors where it can adapt to the local environmental humidity levels without needing specific adjustments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and ensure strong support for climbing.
Outdoor
Full sun, ample space to climb, prune to manage growth.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleWisteria floribunda 'Domino', commonly known as Japanese Wisteria, begins its life cycle as a dormant seed, which germinates in the spring when conditions are warm and moist. As a climbing vine, it quickly establishes a robust root system and starts to grow vigorously, seeking support structures to cling to and twine around. During its juvenile phase, which can last several years, it primarily focuses on vegetative growth, developing long stems and compound leaves. The maturity stage is marked by the onset of flowering, which occurs in late spring, showcasing cascading racemes of purple-blue flowers that are fragrant and attractive to pollinators. After pollination, the plant will produce elongated seed pods that mature in summer and eventually release seeds in the autumn, continuing the cycle. Throughout its life, which can span decades, the plant goes through annual cycles of growth, flowering, and dormancy, typically with a dormant period in the winter when growth is minimal.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Propogation: The most popular method of propagating Wisteria floribunda 'Domino', commonly known as Japanese wisteria, is by softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. To propagate, select a healthy, new growth stem and cut a 4 to 6-inch (10 to 15 centimeters) piece, ensuring that a few leaves remain on the cutting. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone to encourage root development. Plant the cutting in a pot filled with a well-draining potting mixture, then water it thoroughly. Cover the pot with a plastic bag to maintain high humidity around the cutting and place it in indirect light. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Roots typically develop within 4 to 8 weeks, after which the new plant can eventually be transplanted outdoors.
