Does Wisteria Break Dormancy Late?

Question

I planted two wisteria at the base of an arbor last spring. It was a beautiful plant all summer and climbed and twined on the arbor. I was looking forward to seeing it flower this year. However, the bark/stem is brown and there is no sign of even leaf buds. The plants came from a farm store garden center. The plant was in a gallon container. It is called a Wisteria macrostachya “Aunt Dee”. It is labled for Zones 4-8, and I live in Zone 5. I did not do any pruning at all. Is my wisteria still alive? Will it bloom this year? Is it late to break dormancy?

Answer 1

Some varieties do break late. This article can help you figure out if it is budding late or is dead:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/how-to-tell-if-a-plant-is-dead-and-how-to-recover-an-almost-dead-plant.htm

The first year for plants, even when they are planted in the right zone, it a hard one. If they do turn out to be dead, try planting again and give them plants extra protection in the winter the first year they are planted.