One plant that seems much more common down South than in the North (of England) or in Scotland is Wisteria.
Wisteria is a genus of about ten species of woody climbing vines native to the eastern United States and the East Asian states of China, Korea, and Japan. Wisteria vines climb by twining their stems either clockwise or counter-clockwise round any available support. They can climb as high as 20 m above ground and spread out 10 m laterally. The world's largest known Wisteria vine is located in Sierra Madre, California, measuring more than an acre in size and weighing 250 tons.
The great wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park in Ashikaga, Tochigi (Japan) is aged approx. 140 years and its branches spread to 1,200 Tatamis (approx. 1,990 Square metres) as of May 2008.
Wisteria, especially Wisteria sinensis, is very hardy and fast-growing. It is considered an invasive species in certain areas. It can grow in fairly poor-quality soils, but prefers fertile, moist, well-drained ones. It thrives in full sun to partial shade. Wisteria can be propagated via hardwood cutting, softwood cuttings, or seed.
The genus was named after Daniel Wister (1738-1805), the son of notable Quaker and businessman John Wister of Philadelphia.
Oh, I love wisteria! Mine was so beautiful in early spring, but I know you remember when I wrote that a late frost zapped it. These photos did the trick for me. Ahhhh!!! I would love to be standing under a wisteria arbor, letting the fragrance waft around my head and fill up my senses. :^)
ReplyDeleteAn acre of wisteria!!!??? Oh, that would be heaven, surely.
:^)
C
Nice pictures! I've only read about Wisteria (in novels etc), never seen them I think (at least not in bloom), so I always wondered what they look like.
ReplyDeleteI do love wisteria. Nice pics.
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