Do Hummingbirds Like Wisteria Bushes?

Hummingbird Attraction

• Hummingbirds are commonly attracted to pollen- and nectar-rich, long, tubular flowers that are too deep for honeybees. The throats of the flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds. Besides wisteria and other plants in the pea or legume family, hummingbirds also favor all plants from the Rosaceae family including rose, apple and pear.

Plant Description

• The vine has a twining growth habit and can grow over 25 feet long. The compound, ovate foliage is 2 to 4 inches long and is made up of seven to 13 leaflets. Chinese wisteria blooms with clusters of highly fragrant, purple-blue flowers in spring. The flower clusters grow and droop like grape clusters. The 3- to 6-inch-long, velvety pods follow the blooms. The long-lived plant develops a sturdy, gnarled trunk with age.

Growth Requirements

• Chinese wisteria grows well in areas of full sun and adapts to a variety of well-drained soil types including loam, clay, alkaline or acidic. The vine also tolerates brief periods of wet conditions. Wisteria is highly tolerant of drought but has poor resistance to salt. The Chinese native is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9 and has few pest or disease issues.

Planting Suggestions

• Conduct a soil test to establish the pH level in the intended planting areas. The plant grows optimally in a pH between 6 and 7. Leave enough room to place a sturdy support for wisteria as it can grow quite heavy as it matures. Amend the soil with organic material such as well-rotted manure, peat moss or compost. Organic material should ideally make up about a third of the soil in the planting area. The recommended size of the planting hole is 2 to 3 feet in diameter and up to 2 feet deep.