Wisteria floribunda ‘Burford’

Wisteria floribunda ‘Burford’ is a standout Japanese Wisteria, renowned for its dramatic floral display and vigorous, twining habit. We’ve watched it transform many a garden here at Tandee Nursery, with its masses of pea-like flowers, often reaching an impressive 40cm in length, creating a truly unforgettable spectacle. This cultivar, which holds the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit, emerges with a lovely bronze flush in spring before its foliage settles into a rich green, providing interest even when not in bloom. Its ability to produce such a profusion of sweetly scented blooms makes it a favourite for adding vertical drama and an intoxicating perfume to the garden.

For the best flowering display, we recommend planting ‘Burford’ in a position that receives full sun, though it will tolerate partial shade. It thrives in moderately fertile, moist, and well-drained soil, adapting well to various soil types from chalky to sandy, as long as good drainage is ensured. It’s important to provide a very strong, permanent support from the outset, such as a sturdy pergola, arbor, or wires against a wall, as this Wisteria can become quite heavy with age. New vines will appreciate consistent moisture until they’re well-established.

To encourage a magnificent display of flowers and keep its vigorous growth in check, we advise a two-part annual pruning regime: a ‘summer trim’ in July or August, cutting back new whippy shoots to five or six leaves, and a ‘winter restyle’ in February or March, shortening these shoots further to two or three buds from the main framework. In spring, you’ll be rewarded with the bronze-tinged new foliage and the highly anticipated violet-blue flower racemes. Throughout summer, its dense green leaves provide a lush backdrop, followed by attractive bean-like seed pods and a lovely buttery-yellow autumn colour before the leaves fall for winter. This Wisteria is perfect for creating a scented focal point over a patio or entrance, or for softening large walls and structures.