Chinese wisteria
Climber covered in fragrant purple racemes before leafing out; a favourite of bumblebees and carpenter bees, moderate for honey bees.
- Nectar
- Medium
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 10-20 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Chinese wisteria is a vigorous ornamental from China that climbs by twining anticlockwise. In April–May, before the leaves open, fragrant purple racemes 15–30 cm long cover the plant from top to bottom. The keel of the pea-like flowers is heavy; carpenter bees and bumblebees open it most easily. Honey bees also collect nectar and pollen, but their interest varies with the locality and with what else is in flower at the time.
Flowering
The main flowering lasts 2–3 weeks; a sparse second flowering may occur in midsummer. Almost all the racemes open at the same time.
Honey and pollen
No separate honey is produced; in urban and garden apiaries it contributes to mixed spring honeys.
Note for the beekeeper
Its seeds and pods are poisonous to people and pets, so take care where children can reach them; there is no known record of the nectar or honey being harmful. In urban beekeeping it is a valuable spring source on pergolas and as wall cover.