Fabaceae

American wisteria

Wisteria frutescens

Synonyms

Apios frutescens
Bradlea frutescens
Glycine caerulea
Glycine frutescens
Kraunhia frutescens
Phaseoloides frutescens
Phaseolus frutescens
Thyrsanthus frutescens
Wisteria speciosa

Other Common Names

Kentucky wisteria, Texas wisteria

Plant Type

Vine

Life Cycle

Perennial

Typical Size

40 ft. tall
4-8 ft. wide

Tolerant of

Occasional Flooding

Inolerant of

Dry Soil

Propagation

By cutting

Plant Propagation Notes

While American wisteria can be grown from seed, it is faster to get a flowering sized plant from cuttings.

Plant Planting Notes

Requires a large structure to grow on for support.

Plants/Diseases

Susceptible to chewing insect damage and honey fungus.

Wildlife Benefits

Nectar/pollen source for pollinating insects, Host plant for butterfly larvae

Leaves

Compound leaves with lanceolate leaflets.

Flowers

purple pea-like flowers.

Fruit

Legume.

Bark

Vines twine counterclockwise.

Toxicity

Medium toxicity if ingested.

USDA Hardiness Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Light Exposure

Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade

Soil Moisture

Medium, Moist

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acidic (less than 6.0)

Native in South Carolina?

Yes

Plant Native Habitat

Swamp forests and wet thickets.

Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)

Secure (G5)

Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)

Not Listed

Distribution Notes

Common in the coastal plain, rare and exotic to the piedmont, sandhills, and mountains.

Subspecies

Wisteria frutescens var. frutescens

Wisteria frutescens var. macrostachya