Wisteria floribunda (syn. 'Lipstick') 'KUCHI-BENI'

Kuchi-beni is a Japanese wisteria which has more trade names – Alborosea, Peaches and Cream, as well as Lipstick which is probably the most common name in English speaking markets. The flowers are composed in up to 45 cm long racemes, pea-like, pale lilac with a yellow blotch in the centre, and open from rich pink buds in early May. They are followed by long seedpods with poisonous seeds which mature in late autumn or in early spring the following year.

Pinnate leaves emerge shortly after the flowers and look rather exotic. They are light green, deciduous, turn yellow in autumn, and densely cover the plant and its support so even without flowers the tree looks very attractive.

Wisteria grown as a standard tree needs a strong support for many years before its trunk hardens enough to hold the crown (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 also during the season.

Wisteria needs moist, acid, medium fertile soil. Fertilizing is not recommended. Young plants require a sheltered place, mature plants (and those with a stem) are fully hardy to abt. -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 28-10-2020