Glicina bicolora productiva - Wisteria floribunda 'Domino' (Issai) (flori parfumate)

Wisteria floribunda 'Domino' , also known as 'Issai', is a Japanese wisteria variety, renowned for its fragrant, delicate blue-violet flowers and its early, abundant flowering. This vigorous climber is a popular choice for decorating pergolas, trellises or walls, providing an impressive floral display in spring.

Flower appearance

• Shape : The flowers are grouped in long, pendulous clusters, typical of Japanese wisteria. Each cluster is made up of numerous small, pea-shaped flowers that gradually open from the base to the tip.
• Color : The color is a pastel violet-blue, sometimes with lighter shades towards white at the base, giving a soft and elegant appearance.
• Size : Produces long, pendulous clusters of light purple flowers, which can reach lengths of up to 50 cm.
• Fragrance : The flowers exude a sweet and intense fragrance , which attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
• Flowering period : It blooms in spring, from April to May, and is known for its ability to bloom even at a young age, unlike other wisterias which can take several years. Although the main flowering occurs in spring, it often continues to bloom sporadically throughout the summer.

Growth characteristics

• Height : Grows to 4-8 meters, depending on support and pruning, being more compact than other varieties of Wisteria floribunda. It is ideal for smaller spaces or urban gardens.
• Foliage : The leaves are compound, pinnate, with 9-15 bright green leaflets, which turn golden yellow in fall, adding additional seasonal interest.
• Vigor : It is a vigorous plant, with woody stems that twist clockwise (specifically Wisteria floribunda), requiring solid support.

Growing conditions

• Exposure : Prefers full sun for optimal flowering, but also tolerates light semi-shade.
• Soil : Thrives in well-drained, fertile soils with a neutral or slightly acidic pH. Does not tolerate very wet or heavy clay soils.
• Watering : Requires regular watering in the first few years, but becomes moderately drought tolerant once established.
• Pruning : Requires regular pruning to control growth and stimulate flowering. Prune twice a year: once in summer (July-August), after flowering, reducing new shoots to 5-6 buds, and once in winter (January-February), shortening them to 2-3 buds.

Care and resistance

• Hardiness : It is cold hardy, but flower buds may be damaged by late spring frosts. It is also resistant to diseases and pests.
• Fertilization : A phosphorus-rich fertilizer applied in spring helps promote flowering, avoiding excess nitrogen which stimulates leaf growth at the expense of flowers.

Origin

Wisteria floribunda 'Domino' is a Japanese selection of the species Wisteria floribunda, also known as 'Issai'. It was bred to offer early flowering and a more manageable size compared to other Japanese wisterias, and was introduced to Western gardens as a compact and reliable alternative.

Compared to Wisteria sinensis (Chinese wisteria), Wisteria floribunda 'Domino' develops longer flower clusters and has a longer flowering period. Also, unlike Wisteria frutescens (American wisteria), which is often more compact and less invasive, 'Domino' can grow faster and may require more maintenance to control sprawl.