Wisteria floribunda 'Longissima alba'
This is the wisteria on Monet's japanese bridge. I bought a tiny whip from Allen Haskell in 1997. One cannot be a packrat and successfully grow wisteria. It involves hacking, chopping, and controlling and brutality. I trained it into a standard (tree) shape, where it welcomes visitors at the top of the driveway.
It takes years to flower. There are countless hints on what to do when your wisteria refuses to push out buds. My husband thought I was over the edge the year I went out and screamed at it to bloom, or it was firewood. It bloomed the next year. Of course.
It's a lesson similar to knitting. It teaches how to be draconian in order to eke out the greatest beauty possible from a object.
We ain't got no Wisteria up in these 'ere frozen-tundra parts. It's sooooo purty.
Posted by: Norma | Saturday, June 04, 2005 at 08:30 AM
It is beautiful. The flowers are so delicate and the fragrance so rich. It is the one flower that I search for each spring just to see up close. Do you think I'd make it back there in time to see it if I left right now? ;-)
Posted by: margene | Saturday, June 04, 2005 at 08:46 AM
So, it takes a fair amount of bullying. I've been trying to decide if one is in my future. I think I'm mean enough.
:)
Posted by: sandy | Saturday, June 04, 2005 at 10:11 AM
Luckily for you, I don't think threatening wisteria is a crime.
And you seemed like such a nice girl...
;-)
Posted by: claudia | Saturday, June 04, 2005 at 11:21 AM
It's breathtaking. I think the tough love paid off.
Posted by: Andrea | Saturday, June 04, 2005 at 01:50 PM
Stunning. Clearly worth all the tough love and hard work. I'm trying to decide if I'll be in my current home long enough to commit to putting one in, or if I should stick to cute pink annuals.
Posted by: Rosemary | Saturday, June 04, 2005 at 05:30 PM
It looks beautiful! Gardening is one thing I have no personal interest in doing (plus, you know, allergies), but I love seeing other peoples' and always enjoy seeing the beauty they help create. It's gorgeous. From the photos, your garden must be just lovely.
Posted by: Deb | Saturday, June 04, 2005 at 10:51 PM
Beautiful! Gardening is SO like knitting -- involves patience, cursing and leaps of faith.
Posted by: Kathy | Saturday, June 04, 2005 at 10:58 PM
Wow - you promised something that was lovely and you more than delivered! What a gorgeous wisteria!
Posted by: Lynne S of Oz | Sunday, June 05, 2005 at 04:10 AM
Oh my, that is a beautiful wisteria, and a great photo.
Posted by: Colleen | Sunday, June 05, 2005 at 07:47 AM
The wisteria is absolutely gorgeous! You've definitely put the fear in it!
Posted by: Sue | Sunday, June 05, 2005 at 01:01 PM
spectacular - i wish i had thought to do that with mine... it is just a big snargled up mess (although this year, for the first time after 5 years, there is ONE flower on it).
Posted by: anna | Tuesday, June 07, 2005 at 08:49 AM
oh i love your wisteria! so beautiful!
i used to volunteer at a local history museum in Holyoke MA called Wisteriahurst. The whole front porch of the mansion is covered in it. so so gorgeous!
Posted by: Dharia | Wednesday, June 08, 2005 at 07:09 PM
you made me laugh over your draconian comments. it's very true though. and i've cursed at a tomato plant or 2, and gotten tomatoes shortly afterward. amazing, don't you agree? maybe it's just the extra co2, lol
Posted by: minnie | Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 11:19 PM