Wisteria floribunda aka Japanese Wisteria

Wisteria floribunda, also known as Japanese wisteria (藤, fuji), is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. Native to Japan, it is a woody, deciduous twining climber that can reach a height of 9 meters (30 feet). Introduced to the United States in the 1830s, it has since become a beloved flowering garden plant and a popular subject for bonsai. The flowering habit of Japanese wisteria is particularly remarkable, with long racemes of white, pink, violet, or blue flowers that can reach up to 2 meters (7 feet) in length. These flowers emit a distinctive grape-like fragrance. However, the early flowering time of Japanese wisteria can pose challenges in temperate climates where early frosts can damage the flowers. Like its cousin, Chinese wisteria, Japanese wisteria takes several years to transition from the juvenile to the adult stage and start flowering. With its powerful clockwise-twining stems, Japanese wisteria can grow over 30 meters (98 feet) long, supported by various structures. Its foliage consists of shiny, dark-green, pinnately compound leaves with oblong leaflets. The plant also produces brown, velvety, bean-like seed pods that mature in summer and persist until winter. Japanese wisteria thrives in moist soils and full sun in USDA plant hardiness zones 5-9. It has a long lifespan, often living for over 50 years. One cultivar, Kokuryū, features scented violet flowers that hang in racemes up to 50cm long, blooming in early summer. While wisteria flowers are visually stunning and fragrant, it is important to note that the vine is fast-growing and can become aggressive, reaching lengths of over 30 feet. The blooms of wisteria only appear on new growth, and after flowering, the plant develops brown, bean-like pods that remain on the plant until winter.