Knowledgebase

How to prune Wisteria #603828

Asked October 23, 2019, 10:56 AM EDT

I received your reply about when to prune Wisteria in southern MN climate but neglected to ask how far back I can cut it.   It has never been pruned.

Winona County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thanks for getting back to us.  Although I was not the individual who initially responded to your question, let me add to his remarks with respect to pruning your wisteria.  

The major thing to keep in mind with respect to wisteria is that it blooms on “old wood”.  This simply means that the flowers you will see spring 2020 will be on flower buds that developed during 2019.  Generally speaking, many gardeners will prune their wisteria two times during a year:  early spring before flowering and in the summer immediately after flowering is done.

The late winter/early spring pruning is normally done when the plant has gotten too large with rather thick stems.  I suspect that this is the type of pruning that you envision.  Here you will severely reduce the length of stems.  If there are several stems coming out of the ground, some of these stems could be cut back to within six inches or so from the ground.  Sometimes this approach is called rejuvenation pruning.  This type of pruning may not be necessary every year.  Initially it may reduce the extent of flowering.

Pruning that is done after the completion of flowering is intended to mold and shape the wisteria.  This is not nearly as extensive as the pruning done in early spring.  Here are some publications that will expand upon these and other points:

https://www.finegardening.com/article/pruning-and-training-wisteria

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/wisteria/pruning-wisteria.htm

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=242

https://www.lovethegarden.com/uk-en/article/how-prune-wisteria

Please feel free to get back to us if you have additional questions.  Good Luck!!

An Ask Extension Expert Replied October 23, 2019, 11:07 PM EDT

Loading ...