Staff
May 2021

"The Wonders of Wisteria"

Wisteria plants include ten species of woody climbing vines. The plants seen here in Gladys McFarland’s backyard are most likely Japanese wisteria because they fit the description of the blossoms being 12” to 18” long, with 13 to 29 leaflets.

Wisteria belongs to the legume, or pea, family and has petals similar to sweet pea and garden pea vines. Wisteria planted from seed can take eight to 10 years to bloom. Wisteria plants needs a strong, sturdy arbor or trellis because they can become very heavy with age. A Chinese wisteria planted in 1894 in Sierra Madre, California ­– near Pasadena – now weighs more than 250 tons.

Steve McGlenegan built the trellis for Gladys. The photos were taken on Sunday, April the 11th.