Top 6 wisterias

Note: final height depends on pruning – or lack of it…

Wisteria brachybotrys f. albiflora ‘Shiro-kapitan’

(AGM) Has large, deliciously scented pure white, yellow-eyed flowers. Racemes are fairly short (6in/15cm) but prolific, opening among downy foliage on young plants.

Wisteria floribunda ‘Rosea’

(AGM) Held in 2ft/60cm racemes, the fragrant pale lavender-pink flowers have a creamy central zone and darker pink flashes. A lovely soft shade, this is definitely the best pink wisteria, with the clearest colour.

Wisteria floribunda ‘Domino’

(AGM) Flowering dependably well on young plants, ‘Domino’ has fragrant lilacblue blooms in 8in/20cm racemes as the leaves emerge. These are followed by long (sadly inedible) velvety seed pods.

Wisteria sinensis ‘Amethyst’

(AGM) Opening from deep purple buds, fragrant, violet blue, slightly red-tinted and strongly scented flowers are held in 10in/25cm racemes and are quickly followed by unfurling bronze-tinted foliage. Superb as a standard.

Wisteria floribunda f. multijuga

(AGM) Impressively long at 39in/1m, the racemes look amazing in full bloom, and are packed with fragrant lilac flowers with purplish tints. Often impractical as a standard, but superb on a pergola or arch.

Wisteria sinensis ‘Prolific’

(AGM) The name says it all. Fragrant, soft blue-violet flowers are produced in densely packed 1ft/30cm long racemes that show themselves off better than many as they open before the leaves. Another that flowers well when young.