Having trouble locating wisteria in London? One well-liked option is the Linnaean Cafe. This picturesque location in Battersea is decorated with floor-to-ceiling windows, hanging pastel-colored flowers, and fine French-style furniture. The picture-perfect setting has a hair salon on-site and a menu of healthy brunch options, making it the perfect place to indulge in some self-care on a Sunday.
This is where you should go if you want to witness some of the famous bloom but don’t want to venture outside.
Bedford Gardens, Notting Hill
The Bedford Gardens house is the stuff of real estate fantasies—the kind of place you’d expect to see Mary Poppins or Paddington Bear strolling out of. It’s the ideal location to see wisteria in London, with a magnificent white exterior, a perfect pink door, and some just stunning blooms. This breathtaking location is only a five-minute walk from Notting Hill Gate on the tube.
Wisteria does it grow in London?
Wisteria
In London, the lovely purple member of the Fabaceae family typically begins to bloom near the end of April or the beginning of May. It adds a lovely flash of color and bursts forth from the houses, walls, and pagodas of the city, signaling the arrival of spring in the capital.
Here are some of our favorite wisteria sites in the capital, where you’ll find it growing in profusion, if you’re itching to get your #wisteriahysteria photos or just catch a peek of it in bloom:
Where can I find wisteria trees?
In the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family of flowering plants, the genus Wisteria contains eleven species of woody twining vines that are native to China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Southern Canada, the Eastern United States, and northern Iran. Later, they were imported to France, Germany, and a number of other European nations. Some species are common houseplants.
The aqueous flowering plant, Hygrophila difformis, belongs to the Acanthaceae family and is more often known as wisteria or “water wisteria.”
How long is London’s wisteria in bloom?
Every year, the London wisteria season begins at a different time, but by late April or early May, the blossoms are usually in bloom. The blooms remain for a few more weeks before fading after taking one or two weeks to fully develop.
Timing your visit is essential because the season is brief and might differ by London neighborhood and even street.
As a result, check that it is in bloom before you set out to find it so that you don’t arrive too early or too late. Instagram is a fantastic platform for this since many users share images of wisteria in London every spring.
Does wisteria grow in the UK?
A deciduous climbing shrub called wisteria produces lovely pendants of fragrant flowers in May or June. Wisteria comes in a variety of species, however the two that are grown most frequently in the UK are Wisteria sinensis and Wisteria floribunda. While Wisteria floribunda grows clockwise, Wisteria sinensis grows in the opposite manner.
Wisteria is not a climbing plant for a delicate trellis because of its immensely robust and woody stems, which over time can grow to be as thick as tiny tree trunks. Wisteria also provides significant fall color and appealing seed pods that resemble peas.
Where can you find wisteria in the UK?
Wisterias thrive in full light, fertile soil, and both. Of the 10 species, three are grown the most frequently: Wisteria brachybotrys, Wisteria sinensis, and Wisteria floribunda, which are native to China, Japan, and the eastern United States (silky wisteria). All three species have significant growth rates and can extend out to a maximum of 20 meters (66 feet) against a wall or around 10 meters (33 feet) in trees. Wisteria can also be trained to grow as a free-standing standard in a big container or border.
Wisterias for pergolas and arches
The Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) is best exhibited hanging down from a garden structure like a pergola or arch since it has the longest flower sprays (or racemes) of all the species. They entwine in a clockwise motion while simultaneously bearing blooms and leaves. Lilac blue blooms and racemes as long as 1.2 meters (4 feet) are produced by Wisteria floribunda f. multijuga AGM in the early summer.
Wisterias for walls
Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) flowers before the leaves appear, providing a stunning show in spring. For example, Wisteria sinensis ‘Amethyst’ AGM has violet blue blooms with a reddish flush produced in dense racemes to 30cm (1ft) long in late spring or early summer. They twine anticlockwise and the racemes are shorter so they are best presented against a wall.
Silky wisteria (Wisteria brachybotrys), which can be grown against walls or on pergolas, with downy leaves and small racemes of 10-15cm (4-6in). White flowers with center yellow markings, a strong perfume, and 10-15 cm tall sprays of wisteria brachybotrys f. albiflora ‘Shiro-kapitan’ AGM bloom in the spring and early summer.
If you want to cultivate a wisteria in a big container
It is best to choose Wisteria fructens ‘Amethyst Falls’ because of its compact habit and rich clusters of lilac-blue blooms.
Always choose a wisteria that has been developed from cuttings or by grafting when purchasing one because seed-raised wisterias flower less consistently and take longer to bloom. The graft union should be seen as a swelling close to the stem’s base. Unlike species, named cultivars are virtually always grafted. Purchase your wisteria in flower or go with a specific cultivar to avoid disappointment.
Wisterias are offered for sale as container-grown plants at garden centers and online, and you can use the RHS Find a Plant tool to locate particular cultivars.
Wisteria should ideally be planted between October and April. Wisterias grown in containers can be planted at any time of the year, but fall and winter are the easiest times to maintain. Give them healthy, well-drained soil to plant in.
Wisterias bloom best in full sun, so pick a wall or pergola that faces south or west. Although blossoming will be diminished, they will still grow in light shade.
Wisterias are robust climbers that can grow to a height and width of more than 10 meters (33 feet). You’ll need to give support in the form of wires, trellises, or outside buildings like pergolas or arches against a wall. Wisteria can also be grown up a support or taught up a tree to create a standard. A wisteria can be grown in a border or container by being trained into a standard, which reduces its vigor.
If you want to grow your wisteria in a container, you’ll need a sizable one that is at least 45 cm (18 in) in diameter and is filled with potting soil with a loam basis, like John Innes No. 3.
Feeding
Use Growmore or Fish, Blood and Bone on your wisteria in the spring at the suggested rate listed on the packet. Additionally, apply sulphate of potash at a rate of 20g per sq m (1/2 oz per sq yard) on sandy soils (which have low potassium levels). Fertilizers for flowering shrubs or roses are another option.
Feed wisteria in containers using Miracle-Gro, Phostrogen, or another comparable flowering plant food. A different option is to add controlled-release fertilizer to the compost.
Although wisteria has a reputation for being challenging to prune, this is untrue. Once you’ve made it a habit to prune your wisteria twice a year, you should be rewarded with a pleasing flower show.
When you prune regularly, you reduce the excessive, whippy growth from July and August to five to six leaves, or roughly 30 cm (1ft). This increases the possibility of blossom buds budding and permits the wood to ripen. Then, in February, trim these shoots even more to two or three buds, or around 10 cm (4 in), to tidy up the plant before the growing season starts and make it possible to observe the new flowers.
When your juvenile wisteria has completely covered a wall or other garden structure, start the routine pruning to promote flowering.
Small gardens benefit greatly from the training of wisteria as a free-standing standard in a border or container.
Wisteria can be trained to ascend into a tiny tree’s canopy, however doing so could eventually harm the tree. Pruning will be challenging if the plant develops into a huge tree, and a dense leaf canopy will affect flowering.
Increase your wisteria stocks by layering in the summer, taking softwood cuttings in the spring to mid-summer, or taking hardwood cuttings in the winter since seed-raised wisteria can take up to 20 years to flower.
Wisteria is typically propagated via grafting in professional nurseries, however layering is the simplest and most dependable technique for home gardeners.
Established wisteria can produce hanging, bean-like seedpods after a lengthy summer. While wisteria plants grown from seeds are typically of inferior quality, you might want to try growing wisteria yourself.
- After the leaves have fallen, gather the seedpods and let them ripen in an open tray.
- When the seed is ready, twist open the pod and sow it 2 cm (3/4 in) deep in seed compost.
- Before planting if the seed is dry, soak it for 24 hours.
See our commonly asked questions page for a summary of wisteria issues.
Poor flowering
Poor flowering is the most frequent issue for backyard gardeners, and it can be brought on by a variety of factors, such as:
- Young plants can take up to 20 years to flower, so acquire a plant that is already in bloom or go with a certain cultivar because they are typically grafted to avoid disappointment.
- Examine your pruning methods and timing because early and midsummer trimming will prevent the growth of flowers the next year.
- Wisteria flowers best in broad light; deep shadow produces few, if any, flowers.
- Water your wisteria during periods of drought from July to September because a lack of water during this time will influence the development of flower buds the next year.
- Flower buds may drop before opening as a result of spring frosts, which can harm or deform growing flowers.
- Applying sulphate of potash in the spring will encourage bloom production for the next year in soils that may lack potassium.
- The damage caused by pigeons or mice can be identified by torn petals or distinctive teeth marks.
Other problems
A mature, seemingly robust wisteria will occasionally pass away and be replaced by a new, healthy branch emerging from the ground. Failure of the wisteria graft may be the reason of this.
Wisteria is sensitive to both of the fungi that cause phytophthora root rot and honey fungus, which are less frequent causes of failure.
Unusual brown blotches and marks on the leaves, typically with a yellow edge, may be a sign that a fungus has infected them. Viruses can also harm wisteria and powdery mildew.
Infestations of scale and, less frequently, wisteria scale can affect wisterias.
While we hope this information may be useful to you, we always advise reading the labels on your plants that provide care instructions.
Where in London can you find lilacs?
The city of London is covered in wisteria vines, and more grow there every year. However, the west side of London is where you’ll probably locate the majority of these trees.
One of the nicest things to do in London is to take a self-guided walking tour to discover the best wisteria sites.
Planning a walking tour in the areas below is an excellent approach to find beautiful lilac blossoms.
Along the journey, you can make stops to visit other well-known sights or sample some delectable cuisine and English ales.
Kynance Mews, South Kensington
One of London’s most attractive cobblestoned streets is Kynance Mews, in my opinion. It’s also a candidate for one of London’s top locations for capturing wisteria.
The older brick homes that make up this wonderful neighborhood have darker textures that go well with the flower’s stunning purple color.
Just past Launceston Place, on the western side of the street, is one of the best Wisterias to see. The magnificent Wisteria at number 13 Kynance Mews is two stories tall.
Gordon Place, Kensington
Visit this beautiful street with Victorian houses. The two houses at numbers 27 and 46 have the best wisteria. It is located at the end of a charming cul-de-sac.
Bedford Gardens, Kensington
Wisteria trees are also present on this Notting Hill street. Large, magnificent homes with purple frosting can be found.
Definitely make your way to the eastern side of the street where you’ll see a pastel pink door with gorgeous violet flowers surrounding it.
The stylish red door on house number 6 adds to the eye-catching contrast between the two colors.
Campden Grove, Kensington
Another Kensington street that is home to gorgeous purple blossoms is located just two blocks from Bedford Gardens. Wisteria is creeping up the supporting columns to the iron railing of the terrace at number 1 Campden Grove.
Abingdon Road, Kensington
Wisterias are practically growing the full length of this London street. Some houses feature adorable, colorful doors that enhance the aesthetics of the residence.
It takes roughly 6 minutes to go reach High Street Kensington Tube Station. Visit The Abingdon, a wine bar and restaurant hidden among the local homes.
Holland Park, Kensington
If you don’t feel quite at ease standing outside of peoples’ homes taking pictures of their trees and flowers, this is the greatest alternative in Kensington.
Holland Park also includes a number of gardens with the magnificent Wisteria plant; there, you may let out all of your Wisteria mania without worrying about what other people think.
These lilac blossoms may be seen covering the old stone arches in the Dutch Garden.
The Churchhill Arms is a well-liked dining option in Kensington, and the pub has its own floral arrangement.
Sumner Place, Chelsea
The Wisterias in this upscale neighborhood sprawl along the white walls of magnificent mansions. When opposed to the more serene parts of Kensington, this offers a different scene.
Elm Place, Chelsea
The striking purple hues contrasted with the clean, white walls to create a charming impression. It’s understandable why this is one of London’s most popular Wisteria sceneries for photography.
Cheyne Walk, Chelsea
This street in Chelsea is home to some very well-known people’s residences and is situated close to the Thames River. There are also some stunning Wisteria plants there, whose vines have grown up the walls.
Many of the locals have even painted their front doors a delicate shade of lilac to go with these beautiful flowers.
Park Walk, Chelsea
Brown brick residences with vibrant front doors can be found all along this street. In a handful of them, wisteria vines are also creeping up the walls and onto the roof.
A beautiful contrast is created by the browns and the gentler purples.
Chelsea Manor Street
Chelsea Manor Street is another street in London where the well-known violet flowers grow. These lovely blooms have established a home on the brickwork of the homes along this street.
St. Leonard’s Terrace, Chelsea
18th-century homes along this beautiful neighborhood, some of which are decorated with stunning purple Wisteria. When you visit this charming street, you won’t be dissatisfied.
Don’t worry if you can’t visit during the wisteria season. Pink Cherry Blossoms also arrive and are a magnificent sight to behold.
Radnor Walk, Chelsea
After taking in the Wisteria of St. Leonards Terrace, proceed a further half-block to Radnor Walk. One house on this Chelsea neighborhood has a beautiful Wisteria creeping up the wall and onto the terrace.
Astell Street, Chelsea
The purple Wisteria calls a different Chelsea street home. One house in particular has a Wisteria tree that has grown so large and impressively that it almost completely blocks street view from one side of the house.
Christchurch Street, Chelsea
A excellent place to stop on the way to St. Terrace Leonards is Christchurch Street. Here, wisteria can be seen draped like a natural awning over colorful front doors.
Chelsea should check out La Mia Mamma for amazing Italian cuisine. If you want to treat yourself to a Michelin-starred lunch, Restaurant Gordon Ramsey is also nearby.
Other Secret Wisteria Places in London
There are a few additional places where beautiful purple flowers can be seen, though you are sure to find several Wisteria trees in the Chelsea and Kensington region.
Ensor Mews
This street is located halfway between Chelsea and Kensington. These houses, many of which have Georgian and Victorian terraces, were constructed between 1840 and 1880.
Wisteria vines cover the walls and the terrace railings of Ensor Mews with their branches. a breathtaking scene.
Peckham Rye Park
If you suffer from Wisteria hysteria, this London Park will seem like nirvana to you. You can locate a purple Wisteria tunnel that is falling as you descend into the Sexby Garden.
This is available just during the wisteria season. Except for the surrounding greenery, this tunnel is mostly empty the rest of the year.
The fact that Peckham Rye Park is a little farther away than other Wisteria locations like Chelsea is a huge plus. In order to get a good photo of these blossoms, you won’t have to compete with other photographers.
Hampton Court’s
This castle from the fifteenth century has 12 acres of grounds. You’ll need to locate the Formal Garden in this location before going through the breath-taking Wisteria tunnel. Both locals and tourists, as well as photographers, are drawn to this floral marvel.
It is very lovely because it has Wisteria blossoms in both white and lilac hues. This tree has been rooted in this location for 150 years!