Re: Wisteria
Charles Dills wrote:
>
> The best and finest Wisteria around here is a hundred year
> old specimen in back of a hundred year old house. Age can't be a
> factor in blooming. This one blooms profusely every year. But I
> wanted you to see the size of the trunk. It must be at least fifteen
> inches across, maybe twenty!. Enjoy!! ---Chas---
>
Marvellous Chas!
The most memorable wisteria I have seen was espaliered over the face of
one of the college buildings of Kings College Cambridge (UK). The
building is I think early 18th century, but how old the climber was I
don't know - it was certainly enormous and most venerable looking and
was full of flower.
I remember a few years ago, when I was still running a pruning busines I
was once asked to tame and train an old wistaria. As it was completely
engulfing the front of a large two-story house I had to decline. It was
really like some nightmare sea-creature, sending immense tentacles
(trunks a thick as my thigh) from the remains of the veranda roof, where
it had presumably started, right up to peer in the upstairs window and
thrust enquiring tips under the edge of the roof..
In fact the ancient house was so engulfed by it I wondered if it could
safely be removed without the whole building collapsing. The lady who
owned it seemed surprised I was unwilling to undertake the task!!!! I
never did hear the outcome, what she seemed to need was a couple of
stalwart contractors with at least chainsaws and a cherry picker.
Moral for those with a young wistaria, do please learn to train it
properly before it takes you over.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand. (on the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
Lat. 41:16S Long. 174:58E. Climate: Mediterranean/Temperate
