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Resources < Wildlife Habitats < Native Plants < Native Plant Database < Wisteria frutescens

American Wisteria
Wisteria frutescens

Japanese and Chinese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda and Wisteria sinensis) are beautiful plants, but they’re also two of Georgia’s most damaging invasive species. These vines run rampant across our state, smothering or shading out the native plants in their paths and eventually toppling their host trees. An ecologically sound garden has no place for exotic wisterias, but you can plant their native, American cousin and feel totally guilt-free. You’ll get all the sweet-smelling flowers you’d expect from a wisteria, but none of the wild, uncontrollable growth; American wisteria tends to stay put. What’s more, it’s a host plant for five different butterflies—the clouded skipper, long-tailed skipper, silver-spotted skipper, Baltimore, and Horace’s duskywing!

Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Description: A deciduous woody climbing vine with pinnately compound leaves composed of nine to 15 dark green, lance-shaped leaflets. In late spring, after the leaves, fragrant lavender flowers are produced in four- to six-inch clusters that resemble bunches of grapes. Smooth, beanlike seed pods are two to four inches long and mature in fall.

Size:. 20 to 50 feet.

Habit: Twining.

Growth Rate: Moderate.

Light: Full sun to part shade.

Planting and Care: Plant in moist, well-drained, fertile soil that is neutral to slightly acidic.

Ornamental Value: Assets include showy bunches of two-lipped purple flowers in April and May and plenty of dark, shiny leaves.

Landscape Usage: American wisteria can be used to decorate arbors, fences, walls, arches, trellises, or gazebos.

Wildlife Benefits: Hummingbirds visit the flowers for nectar.

Native Habitat: Found in low, open woods throughout Georgia.

Propagation: Softwood cuttings, layering.
           

Photo and text by Leslie Kimel, Georgia Wildlife Federation