Plant of the month Wisteria
This rampant climber can make yards of soft twining growth that turns into a ‘bird’s nest’, producing few flowers. Tie in any new growth needed to extend the main framework over its support then cut remaining long stems back hard. Do this any time in the dormant season – late October to March. To further restrict growth and encourage flowering, prune again in July.
Step by step
1 CHECK over the plant, tying in any long shoots that you need to extend the main framework and replace any existing ties that are cutting into the stems.
2 LEAVE the short, stubby side branches with clustered buds as these are the flowering ‘spurs’. Only prune if cracked or damaged.
3 CUT the longer stems with long and pointed buds as these are leaf buds.
4 PRUNE all long sideshoots to just above the second or third bud at the stem base.
5 REDUCE long, vigorous shoots to 3-4 buds above the base of the shoot in summer – around early July.