By Suzanne Wodek
American Wisteria. Anne Holmes, artist
Commonly known as American wisteria, Wisteria frutescens is a woody, deciduous, perennial climbing vine that produces dense clusters of blue-purple flowers. The foliage consists of shiny, dark green compound leaves.
Poisonous, bean-like seed pods mature in summer and persist until winter. The plant is considered shade-tolerant, but will only flower when exposed to partial or full sun.
In general, this plant is subject to few pests and diseases, but can be damaged by pests such as aphids, leaf miners, Japanese beetles, scale insects and mealybugs.
Botanical Gardens, located at 151 W. T. Weaver Boulevard, is a nonprofit organization housing a collection of plants native to the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Gardens are open sunrise to sunset. The gift shop, carrying garden-themed items and books, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated and memberships are encouraged. Membership benefits include a discount of 10 percent on purchases in the gift shop, an extensive collection of gardening and nature books in the Cole Library that members can check out (reference collection not included), our quarterly New Leaf newsletter, and tours and programs at a reduced rate. Learn more at AshevilleBotanicalGardens.org.
