Pruning in the winter is generally easier because the leaves have been shed and the framework of the plant is exposed. A good rule of thumb is to remove half of the prior year’s growth. [1] X Research source
Pruning the branches will direct the plant’s energy to the flower. [2] X Research source
This is known as a “hard prune” and it will stimulate strong growth, as this is a plant that can grow aggressively. To avoid this, avoid fertilizing in the first spring after the hard prune. [4] X Trustworthy Source Royal Horticultural Society Leading gardening charity in the U. K. providing resources for identifying, growing and caring for flowers and other plants Go to source
If you have plenty of time to fertilize, use natural fertilizer and apply it to the surface of the soil. This method takes a long time to release nutrients into the soil. If you are short on time to fertilize, use a water-soluble fertilizer. This is a fluid solution that is dissolved in water and is sprayed onto the soil and the plants. Many times, when struggling to get a wisteria to bloom, too much nitrogen is the culprit. Adding phosphorus to the soil will balance the nitrogen already present in the soil and will encourage the wisteria to blossom.
Wisteria grows best in fertile, moist, well-drained soil. [6] X Research source You can make your own compost or purchase compost from a gardening store. You can also make your own mulch.
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard used by gardeners to determine which plans are likely to thrive in certain locations. Zones 5-9 cover most of the continental United States, with the exception of upper midwest region, which covers, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Montana, northern Michigan, and the northern portion of Wyoming.
Either check online by performing an internet search or check at a gardening store to find out how much sunlight is appropriate for the plant that you would like to bloom. Chinese wisteria can bloom in partial shade. Japanese wisteria requires full sunlight to bloom. American and Kentucky wisteria prefer full sun for blooms.
You can shelter the plant by wrapping it in burlap during the winter and when frost is expected during the spring. Be sure to keep an eye on the weather and stay on top of any frost warnings. You can also plant wisteria so that it is protected by a structure, such as a screen, but this may not work if the species of wisteria requires a lot of sun.
Wisteria does not need to be watered often and should actually only be watered if you live in an area that receives less than an inch of rain per week. Otherwise, wisteria will receive enough water. [11] X Research source
