A wisteria that grows vigorously but never flowers has almost always missed its summer prune, not its winter one.
Wisteria is pruned twice a year, not once — a summer trim of whippy side shoots controls size and encourages flower buds, followed by a harder winter cut back to just a couple of buds. Skipping the summer prune is the most common reason a wisteria grows vigorously but never flowers.
Sowing & growing calendar
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feed | Feed in February | Feed in March | ||||||||||
| Prune | Prune in January | Prune in February | Prune in July | Prune in August |
Care details
- Prune January – February
Cut those same shoots back further, to two or three buds, while dormant.
- Feed February – March
Apply a high-potash feed to encourage flowers over leafy growth.
- Prune July – August
Shorten this year’s whippy green side shoots to about five leaves — this forces flower buds instead of endless growth.
Growing tips & common problems
- Prune twice a year without fail — a summer trim of whippy growth is what actually forces flower buds to form.
- Be patient after planting; a young wisteria can take several years to flower for the first time.
- Feed with a high-potash fertiliser rather than a general one, to favour flowers over leafy growth.
Grows well with
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