Should I be pruning my wisteria right now?

Great question Lyn, and the short answer is – yes, right now is exactly the right time.

Wisteria is one of those plants that rewards you when you understand how it works. It’s a vigorous deciduous climber – meaning it loses its leaves over winter – and when it’s in full flower in spring, there really isn’t much that can match it. Those long, cascading clusters of purple, mauve, or white flowers are absolutely stunning. But here’s the thing – wisteria can also be a bit of a beast if you let it go. It’s a strong grower and it needs regular pruning to keep it in check and, importantly, to encourage it to flower well.

Wisteria is actually pruned twice a year. The first cut happens in late summer – around February – where you shorten all the long, whippy new shoots back to about five or six leaves. That’s mainly about keeping the plant tidy and manageable.

The second cut, the important one, is right now, in winter, while the plant is dormant and leafless. And this is what Lyn is asking about. What you’re doing in this winter prune is going back to those same shoots you cut in February and reducing them further – right back to just two or three buds from the main woody framework. It sounds severe, but don’t be nervous about it. Those short little stubby spurs are exactly where your flowers will come from in spring.

So grab your secateurs, look for the long shoots coming off the main branches, and cut them back to leave just two or three buds. If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, the buds are those small, slightly swollen lumps sitting along the stem.

Get it done in the next few weeks Lyn, and you should have a lovely display to look forward to come September.