Why plant Aunt Dee Kentucky Wisteria?
Our Aunt Dee Wisteria will bring a romantic feel to your landscape each spring with its long clusters of lightly fragrant lavender flowers dripping from every branch. If you’ve always loved Wisteria for its dreamy blossoms but were afraid this fast-growing vine would take over your house, we have some good news: this native selection is less rampant than the usual form, and we’ve trained it into a tree so that it can stand on its own. As a bonus, this lovely vine-turned-tree may delight you with a repeat performance of blooms later in the season, too! We not only offer Aunt Dee in tree form, but as a part of our Tree Art line we also offer a “Trunk Twist” version with a fun coiled trunk.
Hold your horses! Before you accuse this plant of being the same vine that swallowed up the South (along with Kudzu), take a closer look. This is not one of those rambunctious Asian Wisterias, but a tamer native sort known as “Kentucky Wisteria.” We have trained it to grow in a tree form. This selection was first grown around 50 years ago by Minnesota garden center owner Brad Pederson. That keyword “Minnesota” tells you how cold-hardy it is. And yes, there was a real “Aunt Dee”—Brad’s great-aunt got the honors.
How to use Aunt Dee Kentucky Wisteria in the landscape?
This iconic blooming vine has been trained into a tree form so now you can plant it wherever you want - no trellis necessary! This majestic tree form is covered in bright green foliage and beautiful clusters of light purple flowers that appear in late spring/early summer. Definitely a specimen that you want to show off in your garden.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zones: 5-8
How To Plant Aunt Dee Kentucky Wisteria
This species of Wisteria can be found growing naturally all along the Southern half of the Mississippi River Valley. Consequently, it will exist happily in that low spot in your yard that often gets a little squishy. Higher ground is good, too.
How To Water
They require keeping the soil moist (not too wet) after initial planting. Once established, they are more tolerant of drought conditions, reducing your hand-watering responsibilities.
How To Fertilize
During fall, feed your Wisteria Bower & Branch Elements Fertilizer once a year for about the first 3 or 4 years - this will give your tree all the nutrients it needs.
How To Prune
While this version of Wisteria is not as fast-growing as others, it will still create a lot of foliage over the course of the growing season. Don’t be afraid to give it some tough love with the clippers if it starts to get out of bounds.
Customer Reviews
I can’t say enough about my beautiful wisteria! I ordered a 4ft plant for my NH home. It was a great price too. This company was so easy to work and communicate with. Ever since my wedding 20 years ago under wisteria and pergola, I’ve wanted one. 2 attempts at little plants had failed. Planted last fall, fingers crossed all winter but I was rewarded with a blooming healthy tree. Now I have an arbor. Thank you Bower and Branch 🥰 and pollinators love it 😍
Hello Judy!
What a wonderful and sweet note - we absolutely adore that we were able help recreate a memory from your wedding :)
If you ever have any questions about your beautiful Wisteria, please don't hesitate to ask!
- Bower & Branch Plant Whisperers