Best of the bunch
The familiar fronds of striking fragrant lilac-blue blooms of wisteria adorning the walls of houses or draped over trellises and pergolas are an amazing sight at this time of year.
This majestic climber, native to China, Japan and the eastern US, can grow to 9m (30ft) but needs a sunny position in relatively good soil.
While most produce flowers of blue to violet, you can get white or pink forms.
Good varieties include W. sinensis ‘Amethyst’, a vigorous plant whose recemes are deep, violet blue, W. floribunda ‘Alba’, which produces white flowers and W. floribunda ‘Multijuga’, with its glorious purple flowers.
You will need to prune it twice a year so don’t let it grow beyond manageable height.