Ina Garten's white wisteria is a long-lasting statement piece in her garden – it just requires some specific care
The Barefoot Contessa's whimsical wisteria is proof that patience pays off in the garden – and it looks just as beautiful in a container
As we enter peak gardening and landscaping season, there are a select few experts we look towards for inspiration. Ina Garten, with her years of experience as the Barefoot Contessa, is a guidepost for all things domestic, and this stands true for garden ideas.
Garten recently shared a photo on her Instagram page of her delicate backyard wisteria. The hanging white flowers are fully grown, giving off a whimsical yet elegant appearance that is reminiscent of a quintessential English garden. In short, it's spectacular; it just requires some patience to grow.
Those who are looking for a subtle statement plant would do well to try out wisteria – and according to experts, there are different ways to display it based on existing landscapes and potting preferences.
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'While we might think of wisteria as one of the best climbing plants, it can also be trained to grow as a statement shrub when grown in a pot,' says Homes & Gardens' Gardens Content Editor Thom Rutter. 'As Ina Garten shows, when planted in a container, wisteria can be just as impressive as when it covers walls and trellises.'
Garten's wisteria appears well-groomed, and that is no accident. Rutter explains that wisteria can be unruly, and as such requires long-term care and maintenance to give it a neat look.
'When considering how to grow wisteria as a standard - that is, with one trunk and a tree-like appearance - gardeners must be ruthless, training just one single trunk and removing any side shoots as they grow,' he explains. 'I would recommend using a cane as a support to help achieve a perfectly straight trunk.'
Finally, it is important to consider the climate and surroundings when introducing wisteria to a yard. With proper care and attention, wisteria can become an integral part of any home's exterior.
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'Wisteria plants can be vigorous growers if the ideal conditions are provided,' Rutter says. 'Grow in full sun with free-draining soil, watering frequently during the summer months. While it might take several years to achieve a wisteria as impressive as Ina Garten has grown, your patience will be rewarded with striking blooms and a heavenly scent.'
We love how Garten has brought this to life in a container, reminding us that we don't need an expansive amount of wall space to enjoy these beautiful blooms. With that said, we also love this Blue Moon Wisteria vine – perfect for decorating an arbor or pergola, with the outstanding flowers dripping down below.
Hannah is Homes & Gardens’ News Editor, with a focus on celebrity style and entertainment content. She got her start in media as a digital editorial assistant at ELLE Canada, and has since written about lifestyle and culture for publications such as Nylon and i-D.
Her love of film is rivalled only by one with a great soundtrack, and she hopes to someday decorate a Nancy Meyers-worthy kitchen.
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