Hi folks, can I grow wisteria in Sudbury? Build a pergola this week and planning a garden around for it. Location is sunny exposed to western breezes. Frost are to till May and start in Ernest in September.
Appreciate any feedback! Chris and Janet
Wisteria is genus of flowering plant that includes ten species of woody climbing vines with fragrant, drooping lavender blooms. Wisteria is native to China, Korea, Japan and the Eastern United States. The popular Japanese (Wisteria floribunda) and Chinese (Wisteria senensis) species are generally considered hardy to Zone 4. Sudbury lies within the Canada plant hardiness zone 4a to 3a depending on your specific location within the greater Sudbury area, so these species might just be at the edge of their climatic tolerance in your region.
American Wisteria (Wisteria fructescens) and Kentucky Wisteria (Wisteria macrostachya) bloom on new wood, which offers some protection from late season frosts, and are typically considered hardier than the Japanese and Chinese species. It might be a good idea to check with reputable nurseries in your area to see if they carry species that are hardy for your zone. Wisteria are generally robust plants, tolerant of a range of soil and light conditions, but require full sun (6 hours per day) to bloom. You can review this Toronto Master Gardener Growing Guide for more valuable information on planting and caring for Wisteria should you decide to go this route.
Or you could consider other lovely hardy climbing vines that would work well as garden feature on your pergola, such as Jackmanii Superba Clematis (Clematis x jackmanii ‘Superba’) which has deep purple flowers, or Dropmore Scarlet Honeysuckle Vine (Lonicera x brownii ‘Dropmore Scarlet’), with deep red clusters of trumpet like flowers.
Good luck on your project!