Burford Wisteria Wisteria × valderi 'Burford'
ABOUT
The Wisteria × valderi 'Burford' is known for its striking appearance, characterized by cascading blooms. The flowers manifest in long, pendulous clusters which are commonly referred to as racemes. These clusters are filled with numerous small flowers, often possessing a delightful fragrance. The color of the blossoms is typically a captivating shade of purple-lavender and they emerge in the springtime. This plant is a vigorous climber that can be trained on structures such as arbors and trellises, where it can elegantly drape with its floral display. The foliage of 'Burford' consists of compound leaves, which are made up of multiple smaller leaflets. These leaves usually display a lush green color, contributing a verdant backdrop to the vibrant flowers. In autumn, one can expect the leaves to sometimes change color, adding seasonal interest to the garden. The plant's stems can become woody and twisted with age, giving it a robust and rustic appearance. Overall, the 'Burford' Wisteria is admired for its ornamental flowers and beautiful growth habit, making it a popular choice for gardeners wishing to add a romantic touch to their landscapes. It can transform fences, walls, and other garden structures into living floral tapestries.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae
Synonyms
Burford Wisteria
Common names
Wisteria × valderi 'Burford'.
ToxicityTo humans
Wisteria, including the variety Wisteria × valderi 'Burford', is known to be toxic to humans when ingested. The seeds and pods are of particular concern, but all parts of the plant contain toxic substances, such as lectin and wisterin glycoside. Symptoms of Wisteria poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, and diarrhea. Severe cases may result in dehydration due to gastrointestinal distress, though fatalities are rare. Nonetheless, caution should be exercised to ensure that children do not ingest parts of this plant.
To pets
Wisteria is also toxic to pets if ingested. Similar to its effects on humans, the most toxic parts are the seeds and pods, although the entire plant contains harmful compounds such as lectin and wisterin glycoside. Symptoms of poisoning in pets can include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and in severe cases, it can lead to confusion and collapse. It is important for pet owners to prevent their animals from ingesting any part of the plant to avoid these potentially serious health consequences.
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 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
5 to 9
Native area
Japan
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Wisteria × valderi 'Burford' provides a dramatic floral display with its long, pendulous clusters of fragrant flowers, enhancing the visual aesthetics of gardens and landscapes.
- Landscape Versatility: This plant can be trained to grow on structures like arbors, pergolas, and fences, offering versatility in landscape design.
- Growth Habit: As a fast-growing vine, it quickly covers large areas, providing shade and privacy when trained over structures.
- Seasonal Interest: The wisteria blooms in late spring to early summer, adding seasonal interest to the garden with its flowers, and in autumn with its yellow foliage.
- Wildlife Attraction: The flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing to the health of the local ecosystem.
- Longevity: Wisteria is known for its long lifespan, providing a long-term feature in the garden.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care beyond pruning to control growth and encourage flowering.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Wisteria can be trained to form bonsai arrangements, giving a miniature representation of a full-size tree, which can be a unique decorative element indoors or outdoors.
- The strong vines of wisteria can be woven into furniture such as chairs or trellises, offering a natural and rustic aesthetic to home or garden furnishings.
- Dried wisteria flowers can be incorporated into potpourri mixtures, contributing a subtle fragrance and aesthetic appeal to a room.
- The wood of wisteria, being quite hard, can be used to create small woodcraft items like picture frames or carved ornaments.
- With careful training and pruning, wisteria can serve as a natural privacy screen or living fence along property lines or garden borders.
- In the art of topiary, wisteria can be shaped into various forms, from simple geometric designs to more elaborate figures.
- Wisteria petals could be used to create natural dyes for textiles or crafting purposes, providing hues of light purple or yellow depending on the species.
- The flowers, once dried and pressed, can be used for decorative purposes in scrapbooking, card making, or other paper crafts.
- The robust growth habit of wisteria can be useful for reclaiming and stabilizing soil in areas prone to erosion, anchoring the soil with their root systems.
- Through creative landscape design, wisteria can be grown over arbors or pergolas to create shaded walkways or seating areas within gardens.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiWisteria is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityWisteria is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Welcoming: Wisteria is often grown over archways and entryways, symbolizing a warm and inviting home.
- Mystery and Beauty: With its cascading blooms, Wisteria represents the enchanting beauty of nature that can leave an aura of mystery and splendor.
- Patient Growth: Known for its slow-growing nature, Wisteria symbolizes patient progress and the long journey towards achieving wisdom.
- Enduring Love: The longevity and strength of the Wisteria vine are often associated with long-lasting love and endurance through the trials of life.
- Release of Burdens: Wisteria can symbolize the letting go of past wrongs or burdens, as its growth pattern shows a tendency to climb and reach towards the sky, leaving the weight behind.
WaterWisteria, commonly known as 'Burford' Japanese wisteria, should be watered deeply once a week, providing about an inch of water which can be roughly 0.6 gallons for a small to medium-sized plant. During hot or dry periods, this may increase to twice a week. Newly planted wisterias may need more frequent watering, such as every few days, to help establish roots. Established wisteria can be watered less frequently, as they are quite drought-tolerant, but they perform best when soil moisture is consistent. It's important not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot, so ensure that the soil is well-draining.
LightBurford Japanese wisteria thrives in full sunlight conditions and requires at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to perform best. The best spot for planting is one where the plant will receive unfiltered sunlight for most of the day, avoiding heavy shade as this can inhibit flowering. Partial shade is tolerable, but the amount and longevity of blooms may be reduced.
TemperatureThe 'Burford' Japanese wisteria is quite adaptable and can tolerate a range of temperatures, from approximately 0°F to over 100°F. Ideal growing temperatures for this wisteria are between 55°F and 85°F. These conditions promote healthy growth and abundant flowering. It’s important to protect the plant from extreme cold, especially during the flowering period and when the plant is young.
PruningPruning is crucial for maintaining a healthy 'Burford' Japanese wisteria and encouraging proper flowering. Prune in late winter to remove any dead wood and to shape the plant. Further, prune in the summer, after flowering, to control growth and prepare the plant for the next bloom cycle. The best time to prune is between late winter and early summer.
CleaningAs needed
SoilWisteria, including the 'Burford' variety, needs well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. For best results, use a mix of loamy soil, peat, well-rotted compost, and perlite or sand to enhance drainage. Adding bone meal to the mix can promote healthy bloom production.
RepottingWisteria 'Burford' grown in containers should be repotted every 2 to 3 years. Choose a container one size larger to accommodate growth. Prune the roots gently if they are densely packed, to encourage new growth.
Humidity & MistingWisteria 'Burford' is quite adaptable and doesn't require specific humidity levels. It thrives outdoors and can generally tolerate the natural humidity of its environment well.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure strong support, ample light, and prune regularly.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, provide strong support, and prune for shape.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of the Burford Wisteria begins with seed germination, which requires a period of cold stratification to break dormancy. Once germinated, the seedling grows rapidly, developing a robust root system and vine structure. In its juvenile phase, the plant focuses on vegetative growth, expanding its reach with long, twining stems and compound leaves. After several years, it reaches maturity and begins its reproductive phase, producing long, pendulous racemes of fragrant purple flowers in late spring to early summer. Following flowering, the plant sets seed in long, bean-like pods that mature in the fall. As a perennial, the Burford Wisteria can live for many years, entering a period of dormancy each winter before resuming growth in the spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Propogation: Wisteria × valderi 'Burford', commonly referred to as simply “Wisteria,” is most effectively propagated through softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. The process involves selecting healthy, new growth that has not yet matured or turned woody. A cutting of about 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) with several leaf nodes is taken, and the lower leaves are removed. The base of the cutting is often dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. It is then placed in a well-draining soil mix, ensuring at least one or two nodes are buried where roots can form. The environment should be kept humid, and the soil moist, to facilitate rooting, sometimes using a clear plastic covering to maintain humidity. Roots typically develop in a few weeks, after which the new Wisteria plant can be gradually acclimatized to outdoor conditions.
