Thursday 2 January 2014

Inspiration

Here is my garden inspiration for the day.

I absolutely love wisteria. I haven't got one although I would like to try, mostly because my mother has kept on warning me that they are a) very hard trees to look after and will probably die and b) they are heavy and will break what they climb up. However I am still tempted to disregard what she says and give it a go anyway. I have read in the wonderful book 'Sweet peas for Summer' by Laetitia Marklouf that  it is even possible to grow wisteria in a pot. Not sure I believe her. Maybe if I find a good sheltered spot and a good support I will try growing one (in the ground) one of these days. I love the rustic bench and the weird sculpture thing in front of the fence.

9 comments:

  1. I love wisteria too but I think it would require some hard work to keep it in check.

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  2. Go for it. If one is told cant be done have fun trying.

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  3. We used to have one and it flowers well (took 5 years to flower) but we gave up with it as they needed pruning twice a year - one to keep in check and one to get the flowers. As it got larger and larger it sent out more tendrils etc. Smelt nice though!

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  4. I read somewhere that you can form one into a tree (hence the pot ?) ; I would say go ahead and experiment, but be ready to prune it a lot. My neighbour has one but she doesn't take care of it and now it's coming near her gutters and satellite dish... curious to see what's going to happen next.
    Our other neighbour has one that looks like a small tree but has to be kept in check - though it's beautiful in the spring. If I find the link again I'll send it.

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  5. We had two in a previous garden. I think it is better as a canopy to give lovely sweet smelling shade in summer, as the leaves die off and leave the branches bare in the winter so not great as a screen. But it does need quite a commitment to twice-yearly pruning, although the pruning is easy as it is quite a forgiving plant and will push out flowers regardless.

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  6. http://lejardincesttout.typepad.com/lejardincesttout/2007/05/histoire_de_gly.html
    Here is a blog article in French (Google Translator can help), not the one I had in mind but the picture gives an idea.

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  7. http://arrosoirs-secateurs.com/Comment-conduire-une-glycine-en
    that's the one ! If Google makes funny sentences and you need help, don't hesitate.

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  8. Wish I'd planted a wisteria myself. Stunningly beautiful as are the iris in your photo. If you're in your forever house I'd be surely tempted. The pruning is systematic and twice yearly as you've already been informed. Stunning as a canopy and also more traditionally trained. Perfect in all forms!

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  9. It took my mum years to get her wisteria going - something she now regrets!! It has gone "mental" and taken over a whole area of her garden. It's only pretty under control. Word of warning!!

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