Silky Wisteria 'Shiro-kapitan'

Wisteria brachybotrys 'Shiro-kapitan' is a stunning deciduous climber known for its broad, blunt-tipped racemes of highly scented, pea-like white flowers with a yellow blotch at the base. Unlike the more common Wisteria sinensis, this variety features downy, silky foliage from which its common name is derived. It is a vigorous plant but remains more manageable than some of its relatives, making it suitable for training over a sturdy pergola or against a warm, sunny house wall. In the UK, it is valued for its mid-spring display, often flowering just as the leaves begin to unfurl. It prefers a south or west-facing aspect to ensure the wood ripens sufficiently to produce flowers the following year. Hardiness is excellent (H6), though late spring frosts can occasionally nip the developing flower buds. Regular pruning twice a year—once in summer and once in mid-winter—is essential to maintain shape and promote a spectacular floral display.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Moist but well-drained, fertile soil.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: May, Jun.