By Cathy Halloran, EMGV

I’ll never forget the first time in Paris over 30 years ago. It was springtime, and the wisteria was in bloom. The smell and the purple flowers dangling in mid-air will be forever in my memory. Then, 4 years ago I moved to North Carolina, and in springtime once again saw wisteria. But, this time it was everywhere and somehow choking all the trees and shrubs it surrounded. I’ve learned there is invasive wisteria and native wisteria.

The invasive species are Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) and Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda). The non-invasive, or native species of wisteria is American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens). If you want to incorporate a wisteria vine into your garden, a good option is the American wisteria. This deciduous wisteria blooms after the leaves emerge. Twines are counterclockwise woody vines that grow to 40 feet or more. Its stems are thinner than the invasive species, and they won’t damage wooden arbors or trellises. It’s well-suited for our planting zone.

The cultivar ‘Amethyst Falls’ has deep blue/purple flowers and blooms in spring and summer. The American wisteria is a larval host plant to both the silver-spotted skipper and long- tailed skipper butterflies, an added bonus of adding this plant to your garden.

(Left) American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) ‘Amethyst Falls’ is sometimes referred to as a dwarf variety because of the smaller leaves, flowers and more compact form, offers another native alternative for vine-loving gardeners. (Photo by David J. Stang courtesy of NCSU Plant Toolbox site). (Right) While beautiful, the Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) can quickly become troublesome in the landscape due to its highly invasive nature. (Photo courtesy of NCSU Plant Toolbox site.)

*References and Additional Reading

NCSU Plant Toolbox Wisteria frutescens

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/wisteria-frutescens/

NC Plant Toolbox Wisteria sinensis

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/wisteria-sinensis/

Missouri Botanical Garden, Wisteria frutescens

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=280631

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Bull City Gardener Series-Live- Problem Solving and Propagation: Air Layering
Tuesday May 17th, 10-11 am or Sunday May 22nd, 2-3 pm
Briggs Ave. Community Garden

Learn to identify and treat common vegetable gardens problems, and even how you can prevent some before they get out of hand. Bring samples and stories from your own garden and learn how to handle whatever’s bugging you. For the second half, learn how to propagate plants by air layering, one of the most exotic and ancient forms of propagation. It uses the same principles as pinning a low branch to the ground, only with air layering, you bring the ground to the branch. It’s a good technique to use with trees and shrubs whose branches don’t bend down.

Two identical sessions of this class are available. Click below to register. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. https://durham.ces.ncsu.edu/garden-problem-solving-and-propagation-air-layering/

Durham Garden Forum: The Perkins Orchard Experience
May 17th, 7-8:30 pm via Zoom
“The Perkins Orchard Experience: since 1970” with Donovan Alexander “Alex” Watson, owner, Perkins Orchard.  There are good reasons why Perkins Orchard is the largest and oldest produce market in Durham.  For 51 years Perkins Orchard has been committed to high-quality service and products for the benefit of all in Durham.  Please join us to learn about Perkins Orchard and their farming techniques.

We would like to continue increasing our membership and are asking your continued help to spread the word about the Durham Garden Forum to your neighbors and friends.  Those who are interested in attending and/or joining can send an email to durhamgardenforum@gmail.com and they will be sent a membership form. A Zoom registration link for this program will be sent out about one week before the scheduled presentation.  If you plan to attend this program, you must register using the Zoom registration link.  After registering, you will receive a join meeting link.