- Mature height
- 6m to 10m+ (with support)
- Mature width
- 4m to 8m (spread depending on structure)
Wisteria sinensis 'Alba' is the white flowered form of Chinese Wisteria, a deciduous twining climber that carries long, drooping racemes of pure white, sweetly scented flowers through spring. The soft pinnate leaves follow the bloom, and the stems thicken year on year into a woody, sculptural framework.
Plant it in full sun with free draining soil and steady water while it establishes. It is frost hardy and takes heavy, frequent frost without harm, which makes it dependable across the southern tablelands, Victoria, Tasmania and cooler parts of South Australia. Expect 1 to 2 metres of extension a year and plan for twice yearly pruning.
The white form reads as quieter than the purple and sits well against pale render, limestone and clipped hedging. Use it over entry arbours, courtyard pergolas and long fence runs where one strong season of flower is the point. Built on a solid frame, it becomes a long term structural element of the garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
About White Chinese Wisteria
What is White Chinese Wisteria?
It is the white flowered selection of Wisteria sinensis, a vigorous deciduous climber in the pea family. In spring it hangs pendulous racemes of pure white, fragrant flowers, usually 20 to 30 centimetres long, before the feathery foliage fills in. Over years the twining stems build a thick woody trunk and a permanent branch structure.
How is 'Alba' different from purple Chinese Wisteria?
Only in flower colour and, to most eyes, in effect. Habit, vigour, leaf and pruning needs are the same. 'Alba' throws pure white racemes rather than purple to lilac, which reads cleaner against dark foliage, brick and rendered walls, and holds up better in shaded courtyards where purple tends to disappear.
How fast does it grow?
It extends 1 to 2 metres a year once settled, faster on a young plant with water and room to run. That pace means the frame you build has to be right from the start, because moving an established wisteria is not realistic. Growth slows a little as the trunk thickens and the flowering wood matures.
Can White Chinese Wisteria be grown in a pot?
Yes, in a large container of at least 60 to 80 litres, though it becomes a commitment. Potted plants need watering right through summer and disciplined pruning two or three times a year to stay in scale. Many people grow it as a standard on a stake, which keeps the form tight and the flowers at eye level.
Where does it grow best in Australia?
It performs best in cool to warm temperate gardens, so Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, the cooler suburbs of Sydney, the tablelands and Tasmania all suit it well. A cold winter improves flowering. In the humid subtropics it grows strongly but flowers less reliably, and in the tropics it is not worth attempting.
Is it evergreen or deciduous?
Deciduous. It drops its leaves through the colder months, which lets winter light into whatever it covers, then flowers on bare wood in spring before the new foliage arrives. Through summer the canopy is dense and shady. That seasonal swing is a large part of why it is used over pergolas and outdoor living areas.
How do I care for White Chinese Wisteria?
Water deeply through the first two summers, then it needs little. Prune in late summer, cutting new whips back to five or six leaves, and again in winter, shortening those to two or three buds. Use a low nitrogen fertiliser in early spring. Check ties yearly so thickening stems do not strangle the frame.
