Image Credit: Biltmore Estate biltmore.com

At least 50 years ago, I sat in the shade of the majestically vining wisteria plants that had been trained to cover a pergola at the Biltmore Estate. I had never before experienced anything more enchanting than that, and I vowed that one day I would have my own wisteria-covered pergola. Although I have tried to emulate this treasure before, this is the first year that I feel that I am making progress toward that goal.

Always before, I had planted the Asian varieties of wisteria–and then, I waited–and waited–and waited for it to bloom. Asian Wisteria might not bloom in less than ten years. Only once I waited long enough for my wisteria to bloom, but I was forced to move not long after that, and the process began again.

In this Mississippi garden, I decided to break with what had never worked for me before, and I planted Amethyst Falls — an American wisteria that has begun to bloom during its first year in my garden.

Amethyst Falls Wisteria — April 5, 2025

This Mannerly American Wisteria is about to pop.. I planted this last fall, and it will bloom in its first year. Asian Wisteria might take 10 years to bloom, and it grows to the extent of damaging property. American Wisteria is easier to control.