Japanese Wisteria Wisteria floribunda 'Kokuryu'
ABOUT
Wisteria floribunda 'Kokuryu', commonly known as Japanese wisteria, is a beautifully ornamental vine known for its stunning floral displays. It features cascading racemes of fragrant flowers that can create a dramatic effect in the landscape. The flowers themselves are a deep purple, almost black at times, which is where the name 'Kokuryu', meaning "black dragon", comes from. These blooms hang gracefully from the vine and can add an element of elegance to any garden space. The foliage of the Japanese wisteria consists of large, pinnate leaves that are a bright green color and create a lush, dense canopy when the plant is in full leaf. Each leaf is made up of numerous smaller leaflets which can give the leaves a feathery appearance. This green foliage contrasts beautifully with the dark hues of the flowers. As the seasons change, Japanese wisteria will lose its leaves in the fall, and during winter, the bare vines can create interesting, twisted shapes that add a unique architectural element to the garden. When spring arrives, both the leaves and the striking floral racemes emerge again, signaling the start of a new cycle of growth and beauty.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae.
Synonyms
Japanese Wisteria, Black Dragon Wisteria.
Common names
Wisteria floribunda 'Kokuryu'.
ToxicityTo humans
Japanese wisteria is known to be poisonous to humans if any part is ingested. The plant contains compounds such as lectin and wisterin, which, if consumed, can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. In severe cases, ingesting large amounts of the plant can lead to more serious toxicity and may require medical attention.
To pets
Japanese wisteria is poisonous to pets as well. Like in humans, the seeds, pods, and bark contain toxic substances like lectin and wisterin. If a pet ingests parts of the plant, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and in some cases, confusion. If a pet consumes a large quantity of Japanese wisteria, it can result in significant gastrointestinal upset and potentially severe toxicity, necessitating immediate veterinary care.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple
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- Ornamental Value: Japanese wisteria provides a spectacular display of long, cascading purple flowers that add beauty to any garden or landscape.
- Shade Provider: With its dense foliage, it can create natural shade over pergolas or patios, making outdoor spaces more enjoyable.
- Aesthetic Versatility: The plant's climbing habit allows it to be trained over structures, fences, and walls, offering numerous design possibilities.
- Fragrance: The flowers emit a pleasant scent that can enhance the sensory experience of a garden.
- Wildlife Attraction: The blooms attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting local ecosystems.
- Seasonal Interest: It offers spring interest with its blooms, and in autumn the foliage often turns to attractive shades of yellow.
- Longevity: Japanese wisteria is known for its durability and can live for many years, providing long-term landscaping benefits.
- Privacy: When grown on fences or trellises, it can act as a living privacy screen, blocking views and reducing noise.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Artistic Inspiration: Wisteria's cascading blooms often inspire artists and photographers, serving as a muse for various forms of artwork, including paintings, drawings, and photographic compositions.
- Wedding Decor: The dramatic, hanging flowers of Wisteria create a romantic ambiance when used in wedding ceremonies and receptions, both in floral arrangements and as natural arbors.
- Culinary Decoration: Wisteria flowers can be used to elegantly decorate cakes and desserts, bringing a touch of natural beauty to culinary presentations.
- Bonsai: Enthusiasts cultivate Wisteria bonsai trees for their exquisite beauty, manipulating the vine to create miniature versions of this majestic plant.
- Dye Production: Historically, the flowers and seed pods of some Wisteria varieties have been used to create natural dyes for textiles and crafts.
- Craft Materials: The woody vines of older Wisteria plants can be dried and used in basket weaving and other traditional crafts.
- Wine Making: In certain cultures, Wisteria flowers are sometimes fermented to create a unique type of floral wine.
- Symbolic Gifts: Wisteria is associated with love and longevity, making its branches or seeds symbolic gifts for weddings or anniversaries.
- Environmental Education: Wisteria can be used by educators to teach about invasive species and the importance of maintaining native ecosystems.
- Landscape Management: Wisteria's rapid growth can be harnessed to cover unsightly fences or buildings, enhancing the aesthetic of otherwise unattractive structures.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Japanese Wisteria is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Japanese Wisteria is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Longevity and Wisdom: The Wisteria floribunda 'Kokuryu' or Japanese Wisteria is often associated with longevity due to its long-lived nature. Some wisteria trees are known to live for over a hundred years, symbolizing accumulated wisdom over time.
- Patient Growth: Japanese Wisteria twines slowly around structures, which represents the virtue of patience and the idea that good things take time to develop.
- Welcome and Hospitality: Traditionally, wisteria is planted near the entrance of a home to signal friendship and welcome guests, especially in Japanese culture where it is native.
- Enduring Love and Romance: With its lush, cascading flowers, the wisteria is frequently used to symbolize love, particularly the enduring and patient aspect of romantic relationships.
- Release from Burdens: The act of the vine’s growth in spirals has been interpreted as a symbol for letting go of past worries and the continuation of life.
WaterJapanese wisteria should be watered deeply once a week, allowing the water to penetrate the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches to reach the root zone. During the growing season, they may require more frequent watering, especially in particularly hot or dry weather, to maintain evenly moist soil. It is best to check the soil moisture before watering; if the top inch of soil feels dry, it's time to water. New plants will need more consistent watering until they are established, typically requiring about one gallon per week. Reduce watering in the fall as the plant prepares for dormancy.
LightJapanese wisteria thrives in full sun to partial shade, with a preference for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to ensure vigorous growth and abundant flowering. The ideal spot for this climbing plant would be a south-facing or west-facing position where it can receive ample sunlight while being protected from the harshest midday sun, which could scorch the leaves.
TemperatureJapanese wisteria is hardy and can endure temperatures that range from a winter low of around 0°F to a summer high of around 100°F. It prefers temperate climates and does best in a range between 55°F and 75°F. Frost-hardy, this plant can survive cool winters and is suitable for areas with cold seasons as long as the roots are mulched and protected from severe freezes.
PruningPruning Japanese wisteria is essential to control its vigorous growth and encourage flowering. Prune in late winter to remove at least half of the previous year's growth, leaving just a few buds per stem. Additional light pruning can be done after flowering to keep the plant in shape and to remove any unwanted or excessive growth. The best time for the main pruning is late winter before new growth begins.
CleaningAs needed
SoilJapanese Wisteria prefers a fertile, moist, but well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A good mix could be equal parts loam, peat moss, and gritty sand which ensures drainage and aeration. Adding compost or well-rotted manure boosts fertility.
RepottingJapanese Wisteria should be repotted every 2 to 3 years when young, and less frequently as it matures. Larger, established plants can go 4 to 5 years between repottings, as they are often planted in-ground.
Humidity & MistingJapanese Wisteria thrives best in average outdoor humidity levels. It can adapt to different humidity conditions but doesn't require high humidity to flourish.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure a sunny spot; prune regularly to manage size.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, provide sturdy support for climbing.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleJapanese Wisteria 'Kokuryu' begins its life cycle as a seed, which under suitable conditions germinates in the soil. After germination, the seedling grows into a juvenile plant, which then matures over several years into a woody, twining vine. Once mature, it enters a stage of vigorous growth where it can spread rapidly and requires support structures, such as trellises or arbors, to climb. During spring, 'Kokuryu' blooms with cascades of fragrant, dark purple flowers, which subsequently develop into long, bean-like seed pods if pollinated. These pods eventually dry and release seeds, continuing the reproductive cycle. Each year, the plant enters a period of dormancy in the winter, when it sheds leaves and conserves energy for the next growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Wisteria floribunda 'Kokuryu', commonly known as Japanese wisteria, is typically propagated through softwood cuttings. This method is most successful when carried out in late spring or early summer, at which time the plant's new growth is tender but mature enough to handle the stress of cutting and replanting. To propagate, a gardener would select a healthy softwood shoot and make a cutting approximately 6 inches (about 15 centimeters) in length, ensuring it includes a few leaves and at least one node, which is the position on the stem where leaves, buds, and branches can form. The bottom end of the cutting, just below the bottom node, should be dipped in rooting hormone to facilitate root development. This treated end is then planted in a well-draining potting mix, typically in a container that can maintain consistent moisture levels. The cutting should be kept in a warm environment with indirect sunlight and covered with a plastic bag or a propagator lid to retain humidity until new growth indicates that rooting has been successful.
