Many people call this plant Wisteria macrostachya Blue Moon. It is a strong climbing vine that can quickly cover a trellis, pergola, or any other garden structure you put it on. This cultivar not only has some of the most beautiful flowers you can find, but it also climbs like crazy. The flowers of this plant have a blue to purple color and arrive in great numbers. At times, this plant can add these blooms to your garden multiple times per growing season.
Water about once per week when the plant is young. When the plant is mature, water when the soil becomes dry.
The two most important factors when planting a Blue Moon wisteria are support and spacing. Give your plant a garden structure, like a trellis or arbor, to help it learn to climb right away. You should also give this plant a lot of adjacent space both above and below ground. This plant can grow very quickly, and its branches will push out other plants. Its roots will also damage nearby foundations and paving. Anticipate this expansion by leaving plenty of open-air and ground space around your new Blue Moon wisteria plant.
Once you’ve planted your Blue Moon wisteria plant, you’ll need to keep the soil moist for the first year. Once your plant shows continuous healthy growth, you can reduce your watering schedule. In many cases, a mature Blue Moon wisteria will grow well with minimal supplemental water. These plants can also grow well without fertilization. Although if you do decide to fertilize, do it only once a year and use a fertilizer that has a lot of phosphorus to get the best blooming.
Spring is when the Blue Moon wisteria blooms with flowers that can draw in bugs like bees and other pollinators like hummingbirds. These plants are self-pollinating and will produce a fruit capsule after pollination is achieved. However, pollination is not a big deal for people who grow Blue Moon wisteria because making fruits is not a common goal when growing this plant. Instead, the flowers and the climbing ability of this plant are far more desirable for most.
Since the Blue Moon wisteria can grow so quickly, pruning is critical. The best approach is to prune this plant about twice per year. The first cut should be made in early spring, when new growth is starting to show but before the flowers come out. The second pruning can occur later in the season, during late summer or fall. When you prune, make sure the branches aren’t too close together and get rid of any dead or damaged parts of the plant. You will likely need to cut this plant back to control its overall size as well.
Blue moon wisteria (Wisteria macrostachya ‘Blue Moon’) has become a hugely popular ornamental vine in recent years due to its stunning lavender-blue flowers and heavenly fragrance But some gardeners hesitate to plant wisteria due to concerns over invasiveness So is blue moon wisteria invasive and problematic like some other types? Let’s take a closer look.
What Makes a Plant Invasive?
Invasive plants tend to share some common traits that allow them to spread rapidly and dominate native species Characteristics that make a plant potentially invasive include
- Fast growing and maturing quickly
- Producing numerous seeds, runners, or rhizomes
- Spreading far from the parent plant
- Crowding out native plants
- Lacking natural predators or pathogens to keep growth in check
Highly invasive plants can cause major ecological damage by reducing biodiversity, altering soil chemistry, monopolizing resources, and disrupting ecosystems. Preventing invasive species from establishing is crucial to protecting native plant and animal habitats.
The Invasive Nature of Wisteria
Wisteria species are well known for aggressive growth and invasive tendencies under ideal conditions. Two types in particular demonstrate highly invasive traits:
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Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) – Native to Japan, China and Korea, this was introduced to the U.S. for ornamental use but has spread rapidly. It climbs high into forest canopies, girdling and killing trees. Its dense growth shades out native plants and disrupts ecosystems. It is considered a noxious weed in many areas.
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Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) – Also from Asia, this species exhibits very rapid growth up to 70 feet high. It produces up to 10X more seeds than Japanese wisteria, which are spread widely by birds. Forms dense thickets that overwhelm native vegetation.
The key factors driving the invasiveness of these two wisteria species are prolific flowering/seed production, extremely vigourous growth, and lack of natural controls on spread. Without intervention, they can quickly take over any suitable environment.
Is Blue Moon Wisteria Considered Invasive?
Blue moon wisteria is a cultivar of the native American wisteria species Wisteria macrostachya (Kentucky wisteria). It was selected specifically for its reduced invasiveness compared to Asian wisterias.
While still moderately vigorous, blue moon wisteria exhibits a less aggressive growth habit and is slower to spread than the Asian varieties. A few key differences make it less problematic:
- Produces fewer seed pods (but still can spread by seeds)
- Less likely to girdle and kill trees it climbs on
- Slower growing overall (10-20 feet maximum height)
- More cold-hardy (zones 4-9) so limited range
These qualities result in a greatly reduced risk of invasiveness compared to Japanese/Chinese wisterias. Additionally, native insects help control its growth and spread.
So while blue moon wisteria can spread it is NOT classified as an invasive plant. However, some points to keep in mind if planning to plant it:
- It can spread by seed pods so prune after flowering
- Contain it within your yard by managing runners
- Provide strong structural supports for its vigorous climbing habit
- Allow ample space for growth and choose companions carefully
With proper care and pruning, blue moon wisteria makes a wonderful alternative to more invasive Asian wisterias. Its gorgeous blooms and scent bring spring charm without the ecological downsides.
Growing Blue Moon Wisteria Successfully
Here are some tips to grow blue moon wisteria as a fabulous flowering vine without allowing it to escape your yard:
Pick the Right Location
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Select an area with full sun to encourage the most prolific flowering. Wisteria needs sun!
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Make sure it has room to grow. Give it at least 10-15 feet space all around.
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Plant near a strong support structure like a pergola, fence or trellis. It needs something sturdy to climb on.
Use Preventative Measures
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Monitor for seed pods after bloom and prune them off to prevent reseeding.
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Watch for surface runners that root new plants and detach or prune them.
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Install a root barrier if planting close to foundations, driveways or patios.
Prune Regularly
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Prune in late winter to shape, thin, and promote flowering.
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Prune again after blooms fade to control growth.
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Cut any unwanted long shoots or growth straying outside area.
Provide Ideal Growing Conditions
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Water regularly during first year to establish an extensive root system.
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Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer to nourish blooms.
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Make sure soil is moist but well-draining as wisteria hates wet feet.
Monitor and Adjust as Needed
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If plant starts growing too large, prune more aggressively.
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Consider removing if it still exceeds space limitations.
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Be willing to intervene with pruning, division or removal if it begins spreading too far.
With some careful management, you can enjoy the wonderful floral display of blue moon wisteria without it taking over your yard. Just provide the vine room to grow, prune religiously, and monitor for unwanted spread. The work is well worth it for the months of scenic blue blossoms and delightful fragrance this plant provides. As long as you don’t let it run wild, blue moon wisteria is unlikely to ever become invasive in your landscape.
The Takeaway on Blue Moon Wisteria Invasiveness
While wisteria species definitely carry a reputation for invasiveness, the blue moon cultivar has been bred to exhibit far less aggressive behavior in gardens. Here’s a quick summary:
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It’s a selections of a native North American wisteria species, not imported Asian types.
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Blue moon wisteria has less aggressive growth and doesn’t overtake trees.
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It produces fewer seeds and spreads slower than Asian varieties.
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With pruning and monitoring, it’s less likely to escape your yard.
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Provide proper conditions and space to minimize unwanted spread.
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It’s still essential to intervene if spreading too far.
So rather than shying away from wisteria altogether, consider planting the non-invasive blue moon cultivar to safely enjoy this vining beauty. With proper siting and care, it likely won’t migrate from your yard and take over local plantings. The diligent gardener can grow a fabulous flowering specimen that respects neighbors and nature.
Enjoy Glorious Blooms Without the Guilt
There’s no need to miss out on the spectacular blooms and scent of wisteria. The appropriately named blue moon cultivar provides all the beauty and far less guilt over invasiveness. By selecting the right variety and using responsible preventative gardening practices, you can grow a showstopping vine that earns compliments, not complaints. Just be sure to give blue moon wisteria the space, support, and pruning it needs to thrive within the bounds of your landscape. With a little effort, you’ll be rewarded with stunning lavender-blue cascades and no regrets.
Pests, diseases, and animals
Although Blue Moon wisteria plants are vigorous, they can run into some complications related to pests and diseases. These plants may fall victim to winter dieback, leaf spot, and other problems like crown gall. There are also insects that can hurt this plant. Japanese beetles, scale insects, mealybugs, and aphids are some of the most common ones. You may need to spray insecticide or cut off sick branches as soon as you see them to fix these problems.
In the first few months of your Blue Moon wisteria’s growth, you may need to tie it to a support structure with a string to give it extra support. Once your plant starts to twine on its own, you can take the string away and let it climb however it wants. Pruning is one of the most important tasks for this plant. Pruning lets you control the size of your vine and helps keep it healthy. However, you should know that flowers typically form on new wood and adjust your pruning tactics accordingly.
A big reason why people don’t want to grow wisteria in their yards is that these plants are known to spread quickly. This notion is generally true. Wisteria vines that come from Asia are invasive and will outcompete native species. But the Blue Moon wisteria is native to Eastern North America, so it is not as much of an invasive species. Despite that, the Blue Moon wisteria can spread quickly, so you should be ready to control it regardless.
Blue Moon wisterias use their fast growth habit to reach some impressive sizes. In many instances, these plants can reach 25 feet or more in height. Your Blue Moon wisteria will grow to a different size, though, depending on how you prune it and what you use to grow it. Still, without pruning, these plants can quickly expand to quite a large size.
The Blue Moon wisteria provides its first seasonal blooms during the spring months. However, blooming often does not end there. A mature Blue Moon wisteria that grows in good conditions will often bloom twice more during the summer. One of the main reasons people grow this plant is that it can bloom more than once, adding color even during the hottest months of the year.
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The Beautiful and Deadly Wisteria – An Amazing Plant!
FAQ
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