Wisteria

~ By Mickey Mom ~

About 18 years ago I planted 2 wisteria plants along the outer edges of my back deck where they could grow up over a pergola. ( I still call it an arbor). One, a fairly dark lavender and the other a pale blue. They have done very well.

I don't dare fertilize or those tendrils would reach out and grab me. I can't tell you how many times I have cut that thing back, not too severely, but just enough to keep somewhat control.

I do think at times, wisteria has a mind of it's own! It does reward me with an abundance of fragrant blooms and then with nice shade on the South side of the house.

I am going to have to cut it way back when I redo the back deck and pergola this spring, as the wood needs to be stripped and stained. It is long over due.

I wouldn't grow wisteria on painted wood again because with the rainy seasons we have here in Western Washington, the painted beams get real funky looking and stained from the bark and leaves. It wouldn't be so noticeable if the beams are just plain wood colour. As it is, they are gray, and it isn't pretty. Especially after the leaves all fall off and I have to look out at that mess all winter and into spring. Not so bad when the wisteria is in full bloom or all leafed out though.

Hope the plants don't croak after I get through butchering them, but it is a necessity.

The picture above was taken last May and believe it or not there were still blooms on when I left for Europe in July! I keep hanging bird feeders and shallow baths out there and my feathered friends do enjoy the shelter of this old wisteria.

         

All ideas, concepts, and content including text, content and graphics are owned by
The Garden of Friendship and its members unless otherwise noted and should not be
taken or duplicated without expressed written consent. © 2000 and beyond.
The Garden of Friendship