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a list of Wisteria species & cultivars

As there has been such an interest in Wisterias on this list
recently, I went to my files and databases to see what info
I have lying around of these vines.  Below I include a somewhat
long list of forms available from various mail-order firms (if
anyone needs information about these sources, please let me know).

It is interesting that the genus Wisteria was actually named for
Professor Caspar Wistar, but due to a typographical error in the
originally publication of the genus, and due to the rules of
botanical nomenclature publication, it has since been known as
'Wisteria'.  Apparently 'Wistaria' is acceptable as a common name,
but I think it may lead to more confusion than anything else.

Also, sources quote fragrance from both W. floribunda and W. sinensis,
so as is usual with scent, it is perhaps up to the nose in question
as well as the cultivar as to what is more fragrant than what.

Anyway, I hope the following list is not too over-whelming and that
at least some find it useful in choosing just the right cultivar to
plant in your garden.
 
 Sean A. O'Hara                     sean.ohara@ucop.edu
 710 Jean Street                    http://www.dla.ucop.edu/~sao
 Oakland, California  94610-1459    h o r t u l u s   a p t u s
 (510) 987-0577                     'a garden suited to its purpose'
 
 *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *
 
W. floribunda - Japanese Wisteria

"Leaves are 12-16in. long, divided into 15-19 leaflets.  Violet or
violet blue, fragrant flowers in 18in clusters appear with leaves in
April-May.  Flowers begin to open at base of cluster, gradually
opening toward tip [i.e. from the top down as they hang pendantly on
the vine], prolonging bloom season but making less spectacular
bursts or color than Chinese Wisteria (W. sinensis).  Long clusters
give extreme beauty of line [and should be given room to hang
freely].  Many varieties obtainable in white, pink, and shades of
blue, purple, lavender, usually marked with yellow and white.
Blooms best in full sun." Sunset Western Garden Book

W. floribunda alba

"The new growth on this cultivar is often purple-bronze turning to
bright green.  Heavily flowered, long white racemes, up to 11in.,
with a mild fragrance, adorn 'Alba' in April and May" Greer Gardens,
Eugene OR

W. floribunda 'Flore Plena'

"This selection of wisteria has long racemes of fully double
bicolored flowers of lavender and dark purple; exceedingly fine in
spring, especially if grown to accommodate viewing.  Vigorous growth,
similar to the species.  Excellent autumn tones of golden yellow."
Heronswood Nursery, Kingston WA

W. floribunda 'Lavender Lace'

"Beautiful mauve flowers, similar in appearance to W.  floribunda.
Considered by some to be a cross between W. floribunda and W.
sinensis" Greer Gardens, Eugene OR

W. floribunda 'Longissima Alba'

"From the hardiest species of the wisteria, this variety has white
flowers on racemes of 15in. in length.  Of excellent fragrance, the
blooms appear in April and May" Greer Gardens, Eugene OR

"This vigorous vine (to 30ft) with its long, compound leaves is a
spectacular sight (on an arbor or covering a dead tree) when it
produces its pendulous, fragrant, especially long, white flowers in
early summer.  Sun/Medium water, deciduous, USDA Z6" Forestfarm,
Williams OR

W. floribunda 'Macrobotrys'

"This selection of wisteria was based on extremely, embarrassingly
long, pendulous racemes of fragrant blue-lavender flowers, to 3ft or
more.  Plant wisteria in full sun and provide sufficient patience,
inaugural blossoming may not be scheduled for 4-5 years." Heronswood
Nursery, Kingston WA

W. floribunda 'Pink Ice'

"Perhaps less vigorous in growth than other W. floribunda cultivars,
it may be the best known.  Soft, delicate pink flowers mature to
white in warmer weather.  Cool and lovely" Greer Gardens, Eugene OR

W. floribunda 'Rosea'

"A lovely climber (to 12ft or more) with long racemes of delightful
fragrant flowers - each a pale-rose, tipped with purple."
Forestfarm, Williams OR

"Striking light pink, fragrant flowers in long, pendulous racemes
from twining stems cloaked in deciduous pinnate foliage.  Leaves
color nicely in autumn to shades of golden yellow." Heronswood
Nursery, Kingston WA

W. floribunda 'Shiro Noda' - syn W. floribinda 'Snow Showers'

W. floribunda 'Snow Showers'

"Also known as 'Shiro Noda'.  Long, up to 18in., elegant, white
flower panicles appear late in the season, like beautiful, gentle
showers of pristine snowflakes." Greer Gardens, Eugene OR

W. x formosa (W. floribunda alba x W. sinensis

"Raised in Massachusetts in 1905, this is a most attractive hybrid
with downy-silky shoots and pale violet-pink flowers that open
almost simultaneously on 10in. long racemes." Chiltern Seeds,
Cumbria UK

W. frutescens - American Wisteria

"Rare in cultivation is this attractive species which, unlike others
listed which are Asian in origin, comes from the south east of the
U.S.A.  Although less vigorous than the others, it will still reach
40ft. on a suitable support.  Crowded, very downy racemes, up to
6in. long, of fragrant, pale lilac-purple flowers, with a yellow
spot are borne during summer on the current year's shoots." Chiltern
Seeds, Cumbria UK

"'One of our most beautiful native vines' (L.B.Wilder) - a vigorous
scrambling climber festooned with 'deep lilac fragrant fringes' in
bloom"  Forestfarm, Williams OR

W. frutescens 'Nivea'

"Longer, white flowers bloom later and longer than the species.
Lovely by itself or as a compliment to a purple bloomer."
Greer Gardens, Eugene OR

W. macrostachya - Kentucky Wisteria

"Blue flowers, longer racemes and later than W. frutescens"
Woodlanders, Aiken, SC

W. macrostachya 'Clara Mack'

"Splendid white form of the usual blue, with longer and later
flower clusters than W. frutescens.  A Woodlander's introduction."
Woodlanders, Aiken, SC

W. multijuga - syn W. floribunda

W. sinensis - Chinese Wisteria

"This is a beautiful vine native to China, and is one of the most
widely used of the delightful wisteria.  . . . great quantities of
fragrant blue flowers displayed in pendulous racemes.  The blooms
open early, even before the foliage along this fast growing vine,
which has been known to reach as much as 40 yards in each direction
along a wall.  What a sight to see!" Greer Gardens, Eugene OR

"A vigorous deciduous vine which produces enormous, pendulous
clusters of fragrant, lilac-blue flowers in early spring"
Forestfarm, Williams OR

W. sinensis 'Alba'

"Identical in all respects to the blue or purple forms with the
exception of the beautiful white, delicately fragrant flowers.  This
is an elegant vine, growing vigorously from the base, capable of
intertwining through a large tree, or it can be a distinct tree,
with hard pruning.  Budding on the previous season's growth, usually
blooming at the end of May, and sometimes a second time in August,
this winner will bloom even in shady areas." Greer Gardens, Eugene
OR

W. sinensis 'Black Dragon'

"Lots of double, deep-purple, fragrant flowers - what more need be
said?!  Except that 'a large specimen in full flower . . . is one
of the wonders of May' (Hiller)"  Forestfarm, Williams OR

"All the semi-double flowers open at about the same time on these
racemes of 1ft long.  They are deep purple and appear before the
leaves." Greer Gardens, Eugene OR

W. sinensis 'Caroline'

"'Caroline is a purple of great beauty, the blue wings and keels
accenting the white standard." Greer Gardens, Eugene OR

"Selected for its large and deep-purple flowers, this cultivar makes
a beautiful show in spring (whether twining over an arbor in the
garden or trained against the wall of a house)." Forestfarm,
Williams OR

W. sinensis 'Cooke's Special' (or perhaps 'Cooke's Purple')

"Here is a selected purple wisteria that is bound to please the most
discriminating gardener.  Large clusters of flowing blue-purple
cover this most gracious plant.  Uts fragrance is delightful and the
sight of a large plant is something not soon forgotten.  It is a
rapid, vigorous grower, perfect for training on a trellis or wall."
Greer Gardens, Eugene OR

"This special selection from New Zealand has large, dark lavender
blue flowers in pendulous clusters during late spring - fragrant and
beautiful"  Forestfarm, Williams OR
W. sinensis 'Oosthoek's Variety' - syn W. sinensis 'Prolific'

W. sinensis 'Pink'

"This cultivar has radiant pink flowers and is like a soft rose
blanket waving fragrantly in the breeze.  Foliage is medium green
and graceful." Greer Gardens, Eugene OR

W. sinensis 'Prolific'

"From holland, this cultivar is aptly named for its characteristic
prolific flowering, plus it is the youngest flowering of its
species.  As an added bonus, this wisteria bursts into full bloom
with gorgeous blue racemes before any leaves appear.  An old
cultivar, also known as 'Oosthoek's Variety'." Greer Gardens, Eugene
OR

"A selection from this May blossoming species with, as the name
implies, and extraordinarily floriferous attitude.  Lovely, long and
lots of dark lavender flowers, with a sweet scent to boot."                                                                         
Heronswood Nursery, Kingston WA
 
W. sinensis 'Texas White'
 
"'Texas White' will explode into billowing white clouds of fragrant
blooms." Greer Gardens, Eugene OR
 
"We're not sure how 'Texas' got into the name of this vigorous
Chinese vine, but maybe it's because of the size of the pendulous
white flowers"  Forestfarm, Williams OR
 
W. venusta 'White Silk'
 
"A pleasing species with short, pinnate foliage of dark green along
vigorous stems, and quantities of short, somewhat obese clusters of
pure white flowers in mid-spring; ideal for the tree, trellis or
slow moving inanimate objects in the garden." Heronswood Nursery,
Kingston WA
 
"Small, delicately fragrant white flowers are borne in racemes to
6in.  This cultivar is a vigorous grower and may possibly be a form
of W. brachybotrys" Greer Gardens, Eugene OR
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