How to prune a wisteria: Ultimate beginner winter & summer wisteria pruning guide

[@mush6246]

Another great video as always Lee. I pruned one for a customer yesterday and did it to 2 buds, although will try the 3 in future and for 6 in summer 😎☀️ keep up the great work, you’re a big inspiration 🙌

[@Gardenninja]

Hey Mush! Glad you’ve been pruning wisteria too!! You can go to 2. I just like 6 and 3. Easy to remember! Happy gardening. Lee 🥷🌿🙌

[@jamiew261]

Thank you for this video. Have had mine for about 18 yrs. and trained it into a tree shape. Every year I try to find a good vid regarding pruning without much luck. Yours has been the best.

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome Jamie. I’m glad the videos helped so many gardeners! I always aim to upskill my viewers to both understand the ‘why’ behind it and also the practical! Go forth and conquer your wisteria! 🥷🤘🌿

[@alisonkerr9639]

What a brilliant lesson!

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks so much Alison. Make sure you visit my site where there are hundreds of other free gardening guides to get your green fingers growing www.gardenninja.co.uk 🥷🌿🤘

[@Emma-tv7qt]

I must add that I’ve been searching high and low on tips for pruning and training young wisteria! I’ve not been sure for a whole year whether I should or shouldn’t prune it because it’s so young but equally I wanted it to flower. This has been the most insightful video for a new young wisteria owner and it’s taken me a whole year to find this!! X

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks so much Emma! I’m glad you’ve finally found me. Your wisteria will be bloomin in no time with my guide. Had so many Ninjas say that After following it they finally have flowers! 🥷🌿👌

[@Emma-tv7qt]

@@Gardenninja ....waiting patiently for pruning season!!

[@RachelCelestine]

Yes I totally agree. Mines 3 years old and never flowered . Like you, I’ve been searching for an easy all round explanation . I’ve found it . Thank you 😊

[@JV-dx5uv]

This is by far the best guide i found on KZbin!. Even my wisteria is stil 40cm in height 😂 thank you keep up the good work.

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks JV! So glad my gardening KZbin guides are so helpful. Really makes me smile. Make sure you checkout my award winning blog too and lively gardeners question forum here! www.gardenninja.co.uk/. 🥷🌿🤘

[@hoppyb6113]

Hi Lee. Just watched your video on pruning wisteria. Glad that you explained about why and how about pruning twice a year

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome Hoppy. Glad you enjoyed it! 🥷🌿🤘

[@lynnpowell963]

Thanks Lee how easy you have made it, up till now I never understood how to prune Wisteria so have never had any flowers. Love all your videos.

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks Lynn. I’m so glad! Happy gardening. Lee 🥷🌿🙌

[@kimberleyrussell9877]

Thankyou for all the information you are a gem just in this short video you have taught me so much thanks again kim

[@Gardenninja]

Aww thanks so much Kimberley. Means the world when Ninjas like you get in touch with appreciation. Makes it all worth while! Happy gardening. Lee 🥷🌿🤘

[@ramirofuentes4408]

Smashing video! Learned another tip for my Wisteria Vine. Hope you continue making videos on individual plants teaching us viewers step by step for best growth.😃

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks Ramiro. I love pruning. It’s one of my favourite specialist gardening skills. Even better is helping train new gardeners how to garden! 🥷🌿🤘

[@AJsGreenThumbLLC]

Great information and demonstration Lee!! All the best!

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks AJ! Happy gardening. Lee 🥷🌿🙌

[@GabriellaTavini]

Love your positive insightful energy. My partner and I just moved into our first home and inherited a wisteria (which clearly hasn’t been pruned in what feels like centuries-it’s so untamed!) love that you included the angled cutting point-lots of ppl forget that. Looking forward to taking your knowledge into the garden this weekend! 🍃

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks Gabriella for your kind words. I love spreading my gardening expertise to the masses. Bet your wisteria will thank you for a tidy up! Make sure you checkout my blog www.gardenninja.co.uk for hundreds more free gardening guides! Happy gardening! Lee 🥷🤘🌿

[@roberthamilton2334]

Hi Ninja!! I planted an Alba wisteria on my pergola swinging chair which I previously never pruned and only two or three very small flowers each year, last winter I pruned back to three buds and what a display of flowers starting to come now in 2nd week of May (just wish I had of went lylic more visible) I will try the six bud method this time after flowering and three in winter and see how it goes. Keep up the videos very inspiring!!

[@elizabethbetlejewski195]

Great and informative video!

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks Elizabeth! Happy gardening. 🌿🥷🙌

[@tomfabbricante8975]

Thanks for this video! We bought our home 8 years ago w a very old wisteria on a pergola. It’s never flowered. Now I know why! We will winter prune it this weekend!

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome Tom. I’m glad you’ve now got the confidence to prune with ease. It will reward you with beautiful wisteria flowers! 🥷🌿🤘

[@tomfabbricante8975]

@@Gardenninja aww thanks!!!

[@natalieward6000]

Thank goodness I've found your videos. They are brilliant 👏

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Natalie! What a great comment. Thanks so much! Make sure you subscribe to see more gardening and design guides. Happy gardening! Lee 🥷🌿🤘

[@mathurinelouis4528]

Thanks. So clear and explicit

[@Gardenninja]

Glad it was helpful! Make sure you subscribe for hundreds of other clear and concise gardening guides! 🥷🌿🤘

[@kerriezuhlke6364]

Great video! we have just moved and have inherited a gorgeous wisteria its been left to take control of the house so we have a BIG job ahead of us. Thank you for the good tips!

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome Kerrie. Glad it’s helpful and trust me. Once you start pruning it becomes fun especially when you see the flowers!!! 🥷🌿👍

[@rmedwards8312]

That was so good Lee,it's one plant I don't have......yet,but is so beautiful, can't wait to see yours in summer.

[@Gardenninja]

I can't wait either. I got a few flowers last year but it was in a bad way so more formative pruning but this year it should be much better! Happy Gardening! Lee

[@funkychicken49]

lovely interesting video Lee. I love how you explain everything.

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks Lynn. So glad you’re enjoying my content. Makes all the effort worth while when I know people like you are finding it useful! Happy gardening. 🥷🌿🙌

[@AdamsWorlds]

Thanks again! Been meaning to get some of this stuff. This is the year!

[@Gardenninja]

Glad you liked my wisteria guide! Happy Gardening! Lee 🥷🌿🙌

[@suzybore1847]

Thank you! That was really helpful and well explained...will get to it this afternoon 😃

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks Suzy! Happy pruning! Lee 🥷🌿🤘

[@Tinker1950]

We moved to the south of France six years ago and there's a wisteria growing up the south facing wall of our barn. It's never flowered. But, watching your video Lee, I see I've done everything wrong - never pruned it and fed it regularly during our hot summers. So, must get to it tomorrow and expect it to take two or three years before I get a decent showing.

[@Gardenninja]

Great to hear from you John. Ooohh your house and location sounds rather amazing! Don’t worry you’re not the first to over feed a wisteria or leave pruning for the other year (which becomes a never never task) hehe. Enjoy the pruning it is quite relaxing once you get into the zone! Happy gardening. Lee 🌿🥷🙌

[@aaronnelson7702]

That maybe a good thing. It growing insane like that for a while, then getting attention will absolutely result in crazy flowering once you get it under control. Post pics somewhere, as now I'm intrigued. Lol.

[@robinlooney5440]

Great information thank you so much.

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome! Make sure you checkout my Blog for hundreds more free gardening guides here. www.gardenninja.co.uk/ 🥷🤘🌿

[@noseybirdadventures5880]

That’s really helpful, thank you 😊

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome 😊

[@milkhawieschokolade]

Thanks for the video. It is very clear and the example is nice so I finally know where exactly should I cut. Great job! I just got a wisteria as a standard this year that I grow in a pot? Will it be the same also?

[@Gardenninja]

Fantastic to hear from you! Thanks for the kind words of praise! Prune it the same on the top growth. 6 in summer. 3 in winter. Jobs a good un! 🥷🌿😉

[@ianmckinnon2085]

After wsting your vid i have a better idea of how to look after my plant i have never pruned it and have only got five flowers this year on one stem thanks

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Ian. Great to hear from you. I can say with confidence that if you prune like this each year you’ll be rewarded. My wisteria is now packed with flowers. I’ll do an update to show it when it’s in flower! Happy pruning. Lee 🥷🌿🤘

[@ianmckinnon2085]

@@Gardenninja thankyou lee

[@frankiem2942]

4 years in and still no flowers! Hope this year is the one!! Great video, thanks!!

[@Gardenninja]

Trust in Ninja. If you follow this guide you will soon have blooms! 🥷🌿🤘

[@GJackson64]

Excellent video - such a simple explaination about the buds - I'll be getting the pruning shears out and having a go as soon as possible. Mine has never been pruned so it's also grown out as well as up - what's the best way to prune it back so that it is flush to the building?

[@lilwilliams7277]

It’s so beautiful Lee. Sadly I don’t have the room for one. I keep admiring the standard ones in gardening mags though 😜

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Lil! Well you never know you may spot a standard one and then think…gosh I know how to prune that..then you’ll end up with one!! 😜🌿🥷 Happy gardening! Lee

[@roberthamilton2334]

Hi Ninja, have you any idea about moving a yucca which has outgrown it's position? Thanks in advance

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Robert. Yes. They’re quite tricky to move given the huge fiberous roots. Water well the day before and get some help with another persons with a spade. Then water well and mulch after replanting. 🥷🌿🤘

[@avelenarachel]

5:05 on what to do for young wisteria plants

[@SKlaus-zk7nj]

It is such a beautiful flower! Too bad I have no space for it I just have to adore it in others o public gardens. Greetings from South Germany

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Klaus! Great to hear from you from Deutschland!! 🇩🇪 well least you can visit other people wisterias and then advise them on pruning!! 😜🥰🥷🌿

[@TheChamboy]

I planted a wisteria about 18 months ago. It was s small plant but it had flowers on when I bought it. I haven't yet pruned it as I though it was too young to do. It didn't flower last summer :( Do I just prune it now? Thank you for your lovely video x

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome! Yes prune it back to 3 now on laterals. Also cut off any of the lower shoots that are whippy - long and thin. Focus on the main stem as the structure and then as it gets older side shoots which then carry more laterals. Hope that helps! Lee 🥷🌿🙌

[@dif5759]

If each winter/summer you are cutting right back, how does it grow and spread? What do you leave un pruned so it grows? Also just bought a new purple wisteria, it was about 18 inches (spring) end summer it grew across the top of the pergola with lots of stems off the main one, but a lot ended up really thin and stringy.

[@Gardenninja]

Hi. Wisteria re super vigorous. By pruning them you force energy back to other stems allowing them to thicken and then provide more offshoots. A lot of newer gardeners confuse pruning with ‘reduction’ but most pruning ‘encourages growth’. Cutting back thin growth will thicken the climber and provide a better long term shape. Have a look here for more detail on pruning www.gardenninja.co.uk/prune-garden-plants/ and here for wisteria specific photos. www.gardenninja.co.uk/how-to-prune-wisteria-winter-summer-pruning-guide-for-beginners/ 🥷🤘🌿

[@dif5759]

@@Gardenninja Thank you :)

[@Emma-tv7qt]

Hi Thank you for this video!! I have a young wisteria 6ft tall I’ve had it for 1 year- do you advise that I don’t prune it until it grows and trails up my pergola as I am desperate to see it grow and trail around!! Should I do any mild pruning or would you say to leave it be a few years and just guide it to trail? X

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Emma. always prune even young wisteria. They’re so vigorous it won’t stop their leaders sending out new shoots but will create a strong structured framework. With a brand new plant I always take off 1/2 in year one believe it or not! Then the 6 and 3 each year. If you’re panicked you can always leave one stem to go for gold and trim the others back. 🥷🌿🤘

[@Emma-tv7qt]

@@Gardenninja Thank you for replying and giving such detailed advice! I'm on the case 😍

[@Lilronin82]

With regard to feeding wisteria what about those in pots? Mine had always flowered from the first year (I bought a flowering one) and usually feed it in the growing season. Should I not?

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Lil. Yes. If any plant is growing in a pot it will need some feed during the growing season. For potted wisterias choose a slow release fertiliser like chicken manure pellets. This will be sufficient. You can read more on plant feeds and how to choose them in my easy guide here. www.gardenninja.co.uk/garden-fertilizer-explained-beginners-guide-to-plant-food/ 🥷🌿🤘

[@karenbultman6995]

February in Wisconsin can be below zero temps, wind chills, and lots of snow on the ground. How can I prune in early spring without damage to the plant?

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Karen. If you’re in a different geography then simply wait until a month before spring in your area. You want to prune the wisteria before it starts to send out green growth. Usually when the buds are showing. It can cope with extremes in temp but avoid pruning if snowing or a real frost is present. Hope that helps. Lee 🥷🌿🤘

[@jennythurston4115]

I planted an Amethyst Falls Wisteria last year and it bloomed beautifully in the summer. Should I prune it now, the stems are still very thin.

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Jenny. Yea winter pruning is a must both for flowering and for wisteria to establish a formative healthy structure. Cut back to 3 and you’re set for success! Happy gardening. Lee 🥷🌿🙌

[@lynnechapman9860]

Hi Lee, we've just moved into a house with a huge wisteria which I know hasn't been pruned since the last owner died several years ago. As it's now October I'm not sure whether to prune it back to 6 buds or pretend it's winter and go for 3. Any advice would be very welcome. And I may even apply for Garden Rescue!!!!

[@Gardenninja]

Great to hear from you! I'll respond to your forum query at the same time but here's the answer. - Many thanks that you've enjoyed my Wisteria pruning video. I must admit, specialist plant pruning is one of my favourite skills! If I were you I'd prune back to 6 even though its a bit late. I did mine the other day. Reason for this, it stops the wisteria from looking too bald and is a bit gentler on the climber. The excess growth acts as a buffer against the wind and any really brutal squaly weather. Then late winter back to three. - Forum reply with more content www.gardenninja.co.uk/forum/topic/just-watched-your-really-helpful-wisteria-pruning-video/#postid-1386 Lee 🥷🌿

[@dougiebrown9318]

I have a quick growing Wisteria which is now 3 years old & It’s flowered every year so far, my question is I want to train it to cover our summerhouse which it’s doing, so do I wait until it has got to the size I want or do I prune it twice a year like you’ve described..

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Dougie. They’re so quick growing I prune every year even when small as it helps form and shape them. Hope that helps! 🥷🌿🤘

[@cdrpjtech]

Great video! I just planted a new vine (after flowering season) and am trying to train it up an 8 foot arbor. It's climbing quite well, but I want to make sure I'm not being too aggressive in the 'training.' If the top 4 feet have abundant leaf and tendril growth, is it safe to clear all lateral growth below four feet? I'm trying to determine which lower shaft will be the strongest and am hoping to cut back to 1,2, or maybe three with the winter prune. Any problems there? I noticed you left a great deal of lateral growth on your vine all the way down below belt height. Is that just to allow flowers at that height, or does it hurt the plant to try to make it concentrate on a central trunk? Thank you soo much!!

[@Gardenninja]

Yes, clear the lower growth if in the wrong place. I leave mine as I quite like that look for my frame. To allow flowering and full coverage but everyones different. Wisteria are super tough so prune away. Even if you remove them you'll get new buds forming down there each year so you can allow them to grow back if you wish in later years! Lee

[@conehead210]

my 20 year old wisteria has multiple lateral runners up to 15 metres in length, some have self rooted. It looks great in flower over the retaining wall but over the top come leafdrop. I have cut these runners once before and in twelve months bamm, back at this crazy length. Will it be safe to cut them off way back at the main trunk.

[@jdknight-mark633]

Which larger branches if any?

[@jdknight-mark633]

I bought a house with an old wisteria that has climbed about 20 feet up a pine tree. My first year here, and it did produce some leggy greenery. What to do with unmanaged growth?

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Jimmye. If I were you I’d cut back all laterals to 3 for this year. See how many flowers you get. If not many then I’d do some renovation pruning with the summer cut. It’s hard to know without pictures. You could always use the forum on my site to post some and see what the Ninja community can advise! www.gardenninja.co.uk/forum/ 🥷🌿🙌

[@jeanaddison9585]

Hi Lee my wisteria has put on loads of leafy growth an it’s only May.I can’t possibly wait until July.Please help.

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Jean. There’s nothing to stop you nipping back some of then unruly now! Grab your snips and tidy as you wish! 🥷🌿🤘

[@bofirestonetreesgardens9276]

Hi Lee, if there are multiple years growth coming from the main stem do we cut back further or just cut into the growth from the previous year? I have a client with a very low vigor wisteria and I'm always trying to see how I can get it to produce more blooms.

[@Gardenninja]

Great question! Even with slower wisterias the principle is the same. Cutting back won’t reduce vigour. It concentrates it. So baring that in mind focus your cuts onto the strongest stems and laterals. Cutting into old wood produces fewer spurs but with a higher chance of flowering. Cutting into fresher newer growth will produce more foliage and more spurs but obviously that energy is spread out. Don’t be afraid to be a bit brutal if need be to put it into practice. Don’t forget young wisterias under 7 years struggle to flower very profusely. But 7 years plus they should take off! 🌿🥷🤘

[@bofirestonetreesgardens9276]

@@Gardenninja thank you, Lee! Very helpful!

[@roberthamilton2334]

Hi Ninja, I'm thinking of planting a lylic wisteria against the wall of my house. I live in N Ireland tempeture wise. Is there a particular variety I should choose and what distance should I plant from wall? Thanks in advance

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Robert. You can’t go wrong with any Wisteria. They’re all tough. Japanese, Chinese or American all have different attributes. So I’d Google a few specialist suppliers and pick something that really takes your fancy. Plant it next to a pergola, trellis or wires. No more than 30cm away from the house or wall as you don’t really want it leaning. Hope that helps! Lee 🥷🌿🤘

[@roberthamilton2334]

I purchased a wisteria prolific, I was thinking of taking it up vertical for six feet then across four feet and attach it to wall hooks and let it spread from there. Would this work OK for supporting the vine?

[@dustyflats3832]

I planted an American Wisteria a few years ago. It just never would grow and was in full sun, but there was a huge Yucca next to it that I removed. Well it took off. Problem I seen was it just kept climbing and no lateral. I had one years ago at another place and tgat must have been the Asian variety as it was Wild and I read tgey can be aggressive like a trumpet vine. I see another smaller vine started. Do I need to do anything to encourage laterals this year?

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Dusty flats. It you follow the 3 and 6 rule then you can encourage flowering laterals and keep it in check! Happy pruning. Lee 🥷🌿🤘

[@dustyflats3832]

@@Gardenninja Just so I'm clear on this-- no longer have the Asian variety that was aggressive. I have the American variety and it is just one long vine with no laterals. After I removed the Yucca it grew about 14 feet up the trellis with no laterals. I wonder if this year it will have laterals to trim back as you have shown?

[@kathrynburkhill7028]

Well obviously I pruned our wisteria badly as we only ever got a handful of flowers. Shame I hadn’t had all this pruning knowledge before. I gave up on it and dug it out and replaced it with a clematis. Never mind. 🤔😘 Mum

[@Gardenninja]

Well least if you ever come across one again you now know what to do! 😜🥷🥰🌿🙌 xx

[@Elsi84]

My wisteria became yellow leaves in one area after blooming, don’t know why. Also this year had pest damage in the blooming.

[@tjfrogger1]

Can anyone tell me why, if you have an trellis, wisteria planted on both sides of the arch, 1 side has leafs the other side has buds. The leafy side never gets buds but the other side never gets leafy.

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Teresa. Probably best guess it’s to do with shade. The shadier side I would say is more foliage. Hard to say without seeing it. Maybe add it to the forum to ask the Ninjas? www.gardenninja.co.uk/forum/ 🥷🤘🌿

[@Baddie872]

How to prune when I have a new tree and I want to raise it as a tree instead .

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Natalia. For standard or tree versions of wisteria it’s best to buy them already grafted d like this. If you have a climber it’s a really expert and slow process or pruning and forming. It will take anywhere from 7-10 years where as buying a graft will already have the wisteria in the form you want. If you’ve already got a grafted wisteria follow the pruning guide as above to keep it flowering. It’s the same principle. Hope that helps. Lee 🥷🌿🤘

[@digitaal_boog]

Strange times we’re living in Pruning wisteria