We took down our old metal awning support this year. We had grown wisteria on the awning support (patio sized 10 x 12') for 15 years. Apparently patio sized awnings were hip in the 1970s when our rancher was built. The awning supports were very sturdy: my 200 lb. teenage boys can swing on them without bending. The wisteria trunks were 8-12 inches in diameter after 15 years. During the summer months, if it rained, the wisteria had to be trimmed every two weeks. Each trimming filled two trash cans (you can't compost it). It grew up under the roof shingles in a week if we didn't keep it cut far back from the house. I pruned according to the literature and got flowers for three different years out of the 15 years. Still don't know why it flowered or why not. This year we replaced the old awning supports and wisteria with a wooden pergola and we don't miss it! I do have three sprouts that survived on my swap list if anyone wants a vigorous twining climber! They are about five feet tall at this point.

I planted a Blue Moon wisteria about 3 years ago.. it was a 2 gallon size from Steve's Ace nursery in Dubuque.. zone 4/5. I put it in an exposed location in the back yard on a full sunny slope in loamy sandy soil, with some compost mixed in the hole-next to an old unworking gas lamp post. (I wound a wire to the top to lead it up) It has climbed the post and this is its first year of bloom. It's beautiful! With 6 clusters of medium blue blooms around the top and so very graceful. I don't know how aggressively it will continue to grow, or whether it will destroy the lamp assembly at the top. (there is already a bird nest in that) but so far I'm very pleased with this fragrant, easy blooming, easy care vine. (I just water it once in a while) Does anyone know when is the best time to prune this?

Audrey, I have Blue Moon wisteria, this is its' 4th year, bloomed 1st time last year, was loaded but, late frost got most of the flowers, this year only had 10 flowers. It is suppose to be a repeat bloomer, mine hasn't yet. I prune all the long new growth back to about the 5th or 6th leaf node in mid summer and late fall. In early spring prune back the pruned stems to the 3rd or 4th leaf node. It's my understanding that this helps produce more flowering spurs.

I am new to the forum (and gardening on my own, for that matter!) and have been doing a lot of reading here! Does anyone know where i can purchase wisteria in CNY or online? I'm not even sure which variety i should choose, but here's my situation...my grandmother has always fancied wisteria. She has one in her garden at home but it has never bloomed. Our family owns some secluded land with a cabin on it that she used to garden regularly, 15 years ago it looked like a well manicured state park. Now, i am 25 and my grandma is 75. To her great pleasure, i have always taken interest in learning from her and continuing everything she has done on our family's land now that she cannot (she has RA and is not nearly as mobile most days). Recently while the two of us were discussing my engagement and eventual wedding (which will take place on our land that we call "the hill"), she told me how beautiful it would be if we were married under the arbor up there if it were covered in wisteria. I would love to make this a reality for her, since she is not in good health these days and she is very dear to my heart. However, all these stories about wisteria never blooming has really dampened my spirits, and furthermore, i can't even find a place to buy it! Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated. Additional Info: -space is not an issue up there/nor will be lack of attention -i can winterize the vine if needed -looking for cutting from old, reliable flowering plant -cost not an issue -the 'arbor' in question is extremely sturdy (more like a small pergola, if you ask me) so that shouldn't be an issue, either. -we have not 'set a date' for the wedding yet, but are tentatively planning on late spring 2012, so early (**crosses fingers**) dare i ask for-prolific blooming is most important! I WILL delay my wedding for those flowers!!! Haha