For the last year and a half, I’ve been working to increase the branch density on a Chinese wisteria. Last fall, I was able to see the results.
Here’s what the tree looked like in fall.
Fall color – November, 2020
After removing the leaves
Seeing that the new shoots were 4-5″ long, I reduced them to two or three buds each.
After cutback
At this point I was happy with the branch development, but I wasn’t sure if the tree was going to bloom after producing flowers twice during the previous summer.
By February, I had my answer.
Flower buds swelling – February, 2021
If we look closely, it’s easy to see the result of the pruning over the last year and a half. Here’s where I pruned in December of 2019.
Site of first cutback
The branch just above this point developed in early 2020.
Shoot from early 2020
Above that was the most recent growth extension from last summer.
Shoot from late 2020
In this one example, two cuts have yielded five branches and nine flower buds over twelve months.
The results were similar around the rest of the tree. I didn’t count all of the flowers, but there were plenty.
Flowers starting to open
Much of the tree’s ability to produce flowers can be attributed to the cultivar. The tree is a Wisteria sinensis ‘Caroline’ – a cultivated variety that’s known to produce ample blooms.
Caroline Chinese wisteria – 33″
I plan to keep the tree in the sun again this year and provide lots of water and fertilizer. My goal is to continue improving the branch density so I plan to let the tree grow out before cutting back to three buds in spring and again in fall.