Quick Facts
- Common Name: Silky Wisteria 'Yokohama Fuji'
- Botanical Name: Wisteria brachybotrys 'Yokohama Fuji'
- Plant Type: Deciduous, flowering climber (trained as half-standard)
- Form: Half-standard (clear stem with rounded, flowering head)
- Mature Height: 1.8–2.5m (half-standard form; can be kept smaller with pruning)
- Mature Spread: 1.5–2m
- Flowering Period: May to June (with possible light repeat in late summer)
- Flower Colour: Large, fragrant, pale lilac to lavender-blue, pea-like flowers in short, dense racemes
- Foliage: Soft, silky, mid-green pinnate leaves; autumn colour yellow
- Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy in most UK & Irish gardens)
- Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, moderately fertile
- Aspect: Full sun (best flowering); tolerates partial shade
- Maintenance: Moderate (annual pruning and training to maintain head)
Description
Wisteria brachybotrys 'Yokohama Fuji' in half-standard form is a spectacular, elegant specimen perfect for patios, courtyards, and formal borders. Grafted onto a clear stem, this form features a rounded, flowering head that bursts into bloom in late spring, producing cascading clusters of large, fragrant, pale lilac to lavender-blue flowers. The blooms are densely packed, with a sweet scent that drifts on the air and attracts pollinators.
The foliage is soft and silky, giving the tree a lush, refined appearance even when not in flower. In autumn, the leaves turn a gentle yellow, extending the season of interest. The half-standard form keeps the flowers at eye level, making it easy to enjoy their colour and fragrance up close, and allows for easy underplanting with bulbs or low perennials.
'Yokohama Fuji' is known for its reliability, strong flowering, and manageable size. It’s ideal as a patio specimen, a focal point in a formal garden, or as a statement in a large container. With proper pruning and support, it maintains its shape and blooms profusely year after year.
Caragh Garden Notebook
Planting:
Space half-standard trees 1.5–2m apart for a formal avenue or use singly as a specimen. Plant container-grown trees in spring (March–May) or early autumn (September–October). Choose a sunny, sheltered position for the best flowering—south or west-facing sites are ideal. Dig a generous hole, loosen the soil well, and incorporate compost or well-rotted manure to support establishment. Plant at the same depth as in the pot, firm in gently, water thoroughly, and mulch.
Soil Preparation:
Prefers moist, well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Avoid waterlogged or very poor, dry ground. Improve heavy clay with grit and compost to aid drainage. Mulch annually to conserve moisture and feed the soil.
Pruning & Care:
Prune twice yearly—once after flowering in summer to maintain shape, and again in late winter to encourage flower buds and keep the head compact. Remove any shoots from the trunk below the head. Tie in any long, wayward shoots if needed.
Container Growing:
Excellent in large pots—use a free-draining, fertile compost and ensure containers have plenty of drainage holes. Water regularly in summer and feed with a high-potash fertiliser during the growing season.
Pests & Problems:
Generally trouble-free. Watch for aphids, scale insects, or caterpillars on new growth. Good airflow and regular inspection help prevent problems.
Design Notes:
Perfect as a patio or courtyard feature, in formal borders, or flanking entrances. Underplant with spring bulbs or low perennials for a layered effect. The half-standard form is ideal where space is limited but dramatic colour and scent are desired.
