You may have been enchanted by blue wisteria blooms recently and are now thinking of adding it to your yard. However, upon doing research you discover that wisteria only grows in USDA zones 5 to 9. Is it possible to grow Wisteria in Florida?
The answer is yes, but only in certain regions and mostly in North Florida. If you really want to have it though, you will have to settle with its evergreen variety, the summer wisteria.
Does Wisteria Grow in Florida?
Wisteria is a quick-growing perennial mostly found in the Southeast. It hails from China and is considered an invasive species there. Growth is so vigorous and the plant is so hardy that it can, over time, choke out and destroy its neighboring plants and trees.
‘Chinese wisteria’ does produce a wonderful landscape filled with bright cascades of fragrant purple flowers, but it’s not recommended for the faint of heart. Your yard or garden will be quickly overrun and the plant tends to cause more issues than benefits.
American wisteria, on the other hand, is a non-invasive species of wisteria and is likely more manageable than its Chinese counterpart. However, it’s only hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, and those who don’t live in north Florida will find their efforts wasted.
All is not lost, though. There’s another species, called evergreen wisteria which will grow perfectly in all of Florida provided you give it the right conditions. As an added bonus, these vines are non-invasive and produce rich, purple flowers come summer season.
Is American Wisteria Invasive in Florida?
American wisteria is a localized species of wisteria that can grow in several USDA zones. It’s non-invasive and can cover up a landscape quite nicely.
The only downside to the American species is that the blooms aren’t quite as fragrant as the Japanese or Chinese wisteria, but then you won’t have to worry about cutting down huge swathes of creeping vines regularly to keep your yard or garden neat.
In Northern Florida the American Wisteria will shine in landscapes and present beautiful purple flowers year in and year out. If you’re in zone 10 and 11, then the more sensible option will be the Evergreen Wisteria.
Thankfully, evergreen wisterias are also non-invasive and can put out an impressive show in the right conditions.
How to Plant and Grow Wisterias in Florida
Wisterias are considered perennials in the state of Florida and come back after mild winter seasons. Its vines start producing long-lasting flowers that form in early spring and persist through summer.
It’s a deciduous plant, which means that leaves drop in response to the colder climate, except for the evergreen variety. You can train your wisteria to climb up support structures such as pergolas, trellises and more.
Wisterias love getting full sun and need a minimum of at least six hours to thrive and produce flowers. Make sure that its location gets that amount of light for optimal growth. In colder regions it might be wiser to put them in a sheltered area in your yard or garden to protect against frost.
Once you have the location it’s time to do some digging. The hole should be roughly twice the size of the plant’s root ball. Space multiple wisterias around 10 to 15 feet apart from each other, then install the support structure as needed. Water them in and regularly until the roots become established.
You may need to keep a close eye on your wisteria vines in its first year of growth. Water deeply and once the top soil dries out so the vines won’t wither. The best time to plant wisterias in Florida is during early spring and once the danger of frost has passed.
For other Florida areas the evergreen wisteria is your best option. It’s relatively slower compared to the Chinese wisteria but you’ll still need to prune regularly. To keep the vigorous vines from overtaking your garden you should get out your pruning shears and cut back in summer and winter.
Does Wisteria Grow In Florida: Final thoughts
It’s worth noting that wisterias typically do not bloom in its first growing season, and this is perfectly normal. As a species wisteria tends to mature late, but once it does become established then you can look forward to never ending purple blooms in spring.
Related Article: Shade Trees That Grow in Clay Soil