By Toosh
Shropshire, United Kingdom
I have a wisteria going mad! Thought I could grow it along an interwoven fence but it's taken over. It spreads about 9 metres along the fence. It is about 3 years old and hasn't flowered yet. Two questions - can I cut it back now and secondly could I cut it back and dig it up and move it to grow up house? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have just joined. I am in Shropshire.
- 1 Aug, 2016
Previous question
Wisteria grows up to about 35 feet with a spread of around 20 feet over time, so wherever you decide to put it, you need to bear that in mind. Pruning is done twice a year, once in August and again in midwinter - training in the early days is a good idea,, meaning restricting the number of stems arising from the base to 2, 3 or 4, allowing them to get to whatever height you want, then cutting them off at the top and training/pruning the laterals (side growths).
If its been in situ less than 3 years, you might be able to move it, but wait till its dormant in winter, and try not to break any roots - there may be significant root spread if its been in a whole three years. If you decide to move it against your house, bear in mind that means ladder work up the house, that is, you'll need a ladder twice a year to keep it pruned, and its important you do this or there;s a tendency for the whippy, long growths you're seeing now to penetrate between the board and gutter at the top of the house and get into the loft.
More information re pruning and training in the link below
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=242
1 Aug, 2016