With all the freezing cold winds we've been experiencing lately, I'm rather surprised that the Wisteria is beginning to flower.
Going outdoors recently has been unpleasant. We've had the sort of cold weather that gets inside your chest, and gives you headaches. However, I notice that the Wisteria has ignored all the weather signs, and is about to burst into flower.
I'm sure I didn't buy this plant; I more than likely pulled-up a 'runner' somewhere, and I planted it against the wall of our 'tower'. Unfortunately it has proved to be a light blue coloured flower, whereas I would have preferred either a darker blue or even a white.
Still, it was free so I can't really complain. It grows very fast and I'm obliged to prune back quite hard at least twice a year, otherwise it'd be under the tiles in no time.
Every home should have a Wisteria, and we have about four; including a white one elsewhere.
It's time for me to look for such a plant that is very much my favorite and is not here.
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful, classic, climbing plants; but they need to be kept under control!
DeleteWe have one that crept over the fence from next door a few years ago. It is a lovely mauve and we are trying to train it across the back of the house.( the neighbours know and don't mind!)
ReplyDeleteYou should find some rooted suckers about. Just pull them out and replant.
DeleteHow lovely. I am not sure that a Wisteria would thrive up here in our cool, damp conditions.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it would, have a look around at the front of other houses, I expect you'll find some.
DeleteWisteria are beautiful but fleeting ...... we had a white one over the front of our house. It took fifteen years to bloom but, there was something wrong with it. After taking so long to bloom it then flowered after the leaves had come out so you couldn’t see the few flowers that it produced. We got rid of it in the end. They need a lot of work and only flower for a couple of weeks. I think my history with them put me off planting another one !!! Apparently they are classed as a weed ! To see a really well established one is a sight to behold though. They really are beautiful. XXXX
ReplyDeleteOurs flowers very well, as I expect you can see by the amount of buds just on one lower branch. It also flowers a second time in Summer, but far less than in Spring. They are a lot of work; just pruning takes ages.
DeleteObviously not at our highrise abode but I agree with every house should have a wisteria and our three houses did.
ReplyDeleteThey simply make houses look more inviting.
DeleteLook on the bright side. A light blue being a lovely compromise between your preferred hues of darker blue and white.
ReplyDeleteU
Maybe, but I'd still prefer the others. I'm picky.
DeleteThe mention of wisteria reminded me of a song by The Incredible String Band - "Darling Belle". Did you ever hear it?
ReplyDeleteI have most of their albums. If I remember Darling Belle was sung by the lovely Liquorice, who later mysteriously disappeared.
DeleteLicorice McKechnie. She was last seen hitchhiking in Arizona in 1987 though in 2019 rumours circulated that she was alive and well and living in California.
DeleteMy God. The interesting tidbits I find rambling about on blogs! Fell into a major google rabbit hole on this one. PS: your wisteria is beautiful, Cro.
DeleteGlycine? Isn't that for alcohol induced liver damage?
ReplyDeleteIt could be, but it's also the French name for Wisteria.
DeleteDad used to call the 'roof lifters'. My brother (a horticultural expert) prunes his with a sheep crook whenever he is passing - hooks down the bits threatening to go out of control and simply knocks them off by hitting them with the crook! It does get proper pruning as well and he did once tell me how and when to prune to get a nearly as spectacular second flowering. Sorry, have now forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI could do with a very long-handled pruner, at present I use a step ladder and secateurs. It takes a long time. 'Roof lifters' sounds about right.
DeleteMine is showing flowers too, despite some cold nights. A few weeks ago my husband was all for cutting one down so he can point the wall behind. I had to give him a good talking to.
ReplyDeleteTell him that Cro'll give him an even better talking to if he has such ideas again!!
DeleteIt took me years to persuade Paul to grow a wisteria along the wall adjacent to our old French house. It was absolutely beautiful but if you turned your back it would grow another couple of feet. I suspect it may have completely engulfed the house by now!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to drive past, and let you know. Knowing the Dutch, it'll probably be all spic-n-span.
DeleteMy street name is Wisteria. Have to spell it frequently for folks who look puzzled when I say it is a flowering vine.
ReplyDeleteWisteria Avenue? Wisteria Square? Wisteria Mews? Do tell.
DeleteA plant I love but have never found the right place for in any of my gardens.
ReplyDeleteThey always look good against stone built houses. Occasionally I see them here grown as a tree.
DeleteI love the look of this plant, especially on your tower, but I wouldn’t have it for the reasons you mentioned. It is very invasive and a lot of work.
ReplyDeleteThat's its only problem, I'm not sure what we'll do with it when we're not here; hire a gardener I suppose.
DeleteOur old Wisteria is the dark blue “Cook’s Special “ and blooms four times. Spring through summer, so much work but worth it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I like them too. I'm amazed to hear that yours flowers FOUR times; I'd always thought our second blooming was a bonus!
DeleteThe buds are adorable. I'd never seen before how they get started.
ReplyDeleteThey're a bit like pink Pussy Willow.
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