Wisteria offers a stunning sea of colorful blue blooms that can transform any space. While it looks gorgeous in a quiet corner of the yard, many gardeners love using it to dress up their patios. Here’s how you can make that happen and what you should keep in mind before you start.
Using Wisteria as a Patio Plant
If you’re dreaming of wisteria on your patio, there are two main things to consider first. First off, keep in mind that wisteria is toxic. Eating the flowers or seeds can cause some nasty symptoms in humans. If you have little ones running around the patio, you might want to think twice before planting it.
Secondly, this plant is a climber and definitely needs a trellis or support structure. Because it grows so vigorously, it produces a ton of foliage and heavy blooms. You’ll usually need a sturdy frame for it to climb. However, if you’re aiming for a lush “archway of flowers” over your patio, the effect is absolutely magical.
The Right Spot and Proper Care
Even if you’re growing wisteria in a pot or on a terrace, it still needs some TLC to thrive. If you want a massive display of flowers, you’ll need to pick a sunny spot with plenty of light. You also want to make sure your wisteria is getting enough nutrients. You can keep it happy by using the right fertilizer.
How to fertilize your patio wisteria:
- Use mature compost or a low-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer.
- Fertilize regularly during the warmer months of the growing season.
- Stop fertilizing entirely during the winter.
Keeping Your Plant Small and Manageable
You don’t have to let wisteria run wild; you can actually train it to stay small. There are two great ways to do this. First, you can plant it in a large container, which naturally stunts its growth a bit. The second option is to train your wisteria into a standard (or tree form). In this case, you’re essentially growing a small “wisteria tree.” The best part? A tree-form wisteria doesn’t even need a trellis!
