Wisteria brachybotrys (w.venusta) 'SHOWA-BENI' ('AKA-KAPITAN') silky wisteria - STANDARD TREE
size/type
small tree,small tree
usual height
2-3m
usual width
1-3m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
May
location
full sun
soil type
acidic (peaty)
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist but well-drained
USDA zone (lowest)
5 (down to -29°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Wisteria
Silky wisteria is one gorgeous flowering plant. What makes it different compared to other species are its silky leaves and stumpy racemes of flowers composed in shorter racemes. Flower colours are usually deeper than those on either Japanese or Chinese wisterias.Description of the plant:
Flowers of Showa-beni (or ‘Aka-kapitan’) silky wisteria open from rich pink buds into pastel pink flowers with a conspicuous yellow-green spot on the upper lip. Individual flowers are pea-like, about twice the size of other wisterias, and have a lovely perfume. They are composed in 15-25 cm long racemes and open in late spring, thus easily avoid late spring frosts. They are followed by long bean-like seed pods which are poisonous. Pinnate leaves are fresh to mid green and look rather exotic. They are downy and soft, hence name silky wisteria. The foliage densely covers the plant and its support, which is necessary for a long time because the wood of this climber remains flexible for many years.
Wisteria grown as a standard tree needs a strong support for many years before its trunk hardens enough to hold the crown. Once the trunk has hardened up you can remove the support (after about 5-6 years from transplanting). Wisterias flower mainly on short spurs along the twigs and pruning will encourage setting of flower buds so cut back long branches to 5-10 cm every spring and during the season.
It likes acidic, reasonably fertile soil that is moist but well-drained. No fertilizing recommended. Abundant flowering can be achieved by regular pruning – cut back longest shoots several times a year. It needs full sun. Young plants with soft wood can be damaged by harsh winters. Fully hardy to about -29°C (USDA zone 5).
Last update 22-02-2022
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GLOSSARY
- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
