Look how nice this plant is!! I saw it in Belgium and I think it s the first time I’ve seen it. It is really interesting how it grows from such a small piece of ground. Do you know the name of it? Would I be able to grow it outdoors in LA?
by sabrinameixo
9 Comments
It’s wisteria and it’s extremely invasive and destructive. That’s why it grows from that tiny spot. It kills what it grows on, usually trees.
It’s wisteria, it’s not native to Europe actually. It’s native to East Asia and Iran and would do quite nicely in LA.
Do you remember the show Desperate Housewives? They lived on Wisteria Lane because it was a reference to it’s deadliness
Wisteria or “Chinese Blue Rain”
I love Wisteria a lot, but the plant itself is Toxic, especially the seeds and Pods.
The seeds are actually mildly sweet which makes it risky for Kids and pets.
Pets suffer more than Humans cause the body is smaller
Symptoms are Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach and abdominal pains, dizziness and weakness
Isn’t there a non-invasive type too?
There are Chinese and Japanese cultivars of *Wisteria*, it’s a spectacular climbing vine. Needs pruning twice a year to maintain a good habit and flowering like that. I suspect it would do okay in a shady spot in LA., but maybe not in full sun there.
I’m so confused – why is everyone saying it’s deadly and invasive, it’s like a national treasure in the UK
This is an invasive Wisteria, but there is a native- Kentucky Wisteria- Wisteria frutescens- that is just as beautiful
A wisteria, common name “Blauweregen” in Dutch (“Blue rain”, due to the flower leaves that fall and look like a blue rain shower).
As the other commenter said: it’s a climbing vine, so it’ll need support. Just a simple metal wire can be enough, or a nice wooden trellis or arch. If you let it climb a tree or shrubbery, it might choke it out, and will very quickly overshadow it.
It can grow at TREMENDOUS rates, so you’ll need to keep that in mind. And yes, the seeds and seedpods are EXTREMELY toxic (the roots and twigs also, to some degree). Just two seeds can induce vomiting, nauseau and stomach cramps, so it’s imperative to keep an eye on children and animals that might ingest them.
But they are absolutely beautiful, and easily maintained. My parents have one that’s been growing for close to 30 years at this point, most of the plant has a south-east orientation. It is in Belgium, so it does get plenty of rain, it survives the winter, and doesn’t mind a few stretches of heat during the summer, but it’s still quite different than LA, I imagine 😅.