Chinese Wisteria

Wisteria sinensis

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Wisteria
Species:
Wisteria sinensis

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Vine
Height:
12-20 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
mar, apr, may
Bloom Colors:
blue, lavender

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Blinded Sphinx (Paonias excaecata), Brown-tail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea), Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Effecta Euchlaena Moth (Euchlaena effecta), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), Io moth (Automeris io), Red-humped caterpillar moth (Schizura concinna), Rusty Tussock Moth (Orgyia antiqua), White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Morrison bumble bee (Bombus morrisoni), Morrison bumble bee (Bombus morrisoni)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
fertile, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Prefers sunny locations with good air circulation