wisteria

Question

I have a wisteria growing up a pergola. I planted it about 8-9 yeara ago and it has been flowering for many years after reaching maturity. I never water it and I usually prune in January and july. this year I didn’t prune until February and it has stopped growing. Since I pruned it no buds, flowers or leaves have grown and it just looks like it may be dead. Have I killed it? I scraped some bark back just below the surface and it is white underneath. I cut a piece off and there is green, but only right in the middle. Will it come back or should I replace it?

Answer 1

Annual pruning will help keep established wisteria in bounds and the plants blooming. Summer pruning helps control growth and promote bloom. Side shoots and laterals (stems growing off the main stems) are pruned back just above the fifth or sixth bud from the main stem. In late winter these same branches are pruned back to within 2 to 3 buds of the main stem. The plant’s energy will concentrate here in these buds that will bear the spring bloom. Overgrown vines should be tackled over several years. Severe pruning can results in vigorous growth of leaves and stems but inhibit flowering for several years.
I would go ahead with pruning and it can help rejuvenate a stunted vine.