Caring for Your Wisteria in Late Summer

As we move through the warm days of late summer, now is the perfect time to give your wisteria a little TLC. These beautiful, vigorous climbers are a favourite in many gardens for their stunning cascades of scented blooms in spring – but to keep them at their best, regular maintenance is key.

Why prune in summer?

Wisteria is a fast grower, and if left unchecked, it can quickly get out of hand. By giving it a summer prune, usually around late July or early August, you're not only keeping it tidy and preventing it from smothering nearby plants or structures, but you’re also encouraging more flowers for next spring.

What to do

At this time of year, focus on pruning back the long, whippy shoots that have grown since spring. These are the shoots that won’t flower and can end up forming a tangled mess if left to their own devices.

Here's how to do it:

• Look for those long, straggly shoots coming off the main framework of the plant.

• Prune them back to around 5 or 6 buds from where they started.

• Aim to create a neat, well-spaced framework – this keeps the plant healthy and improves air circulation too.

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This type of pruning encourages the plant to put its energy into forming flowering spurs, which will reward you with a better show next year.

A note on structure

Wisteria thrives when it has a strong support to grow on, whether that’s a pergola, trellis, or wires fixed to a wall. If your wisteria is getting heavy, now’s a good time to check the integrity of whatever it’s climbing on. A bit of maintenance now can save a headache later.

Feeding and watering

If your wisteria is in a pot or in poor soil, a high-potash feed can help promote flower bud development. Otherwise, they’re generally low-maintenance on the feeding front. Keep an eye on watering during hot spells – particularly for younger plants that haven't fully established yet.

Looking ahead

Don’t forget, there’s another pruning to do in late winter or early spring, when you’ll shorten those same pruned shoots again – this time down to 2 or 3 buds. But for now, a tidy summer trim will go a long way in keeping your wisteria looking its best.

If you’re ever unsure about pruning or want a hand reshaping a mature plant, our team at Wilkinsons Landscapes is always happy to help.

Until next time – happy gardening.

Simon Wilkinson Director, Wilkinsons Landscapes