Violacea Plena Double Japanese Wisteria

Violacea Plena Double Japanese Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda 'Violacea Plena') is a rare double-flowered wisteria with ruffled violet-purple blooms, also known in the trade as 'Black Dragon'. It is a deciduous climber to about 6m that flowers in spring, with the fullest, most richly coloured clusters of any Japanese wisteria.

Why you'll love it

• Double violet-purple flowers. Each bloom has extra petals, giving dense, ruffled clusters with a deep colour.
• Distinctive form. The racemes look fuller and rounder than single wisteria, a talking point in any garden.
• Fragrant. The scent is sweet and carries well on warm spring days.
• Frost hardy. Cold winters suit it and encourage flowering.
• Cool summer shade. Pinnate leaves roof a pergola in summer and fall in autumn to let light in.

Where it works best

Feature pergola. Give it pride of place on a sturdy pergola or arbour. Plant 4m apart if growing several.

Courtyard walls. Train it along strong horizontal wires so the dense clusters hang clear of the wall.

Large pots. Its tidier habit allows large container growing on a terrace, supported by a stout frame.

Growing Violacea Plena in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun in a sheltered position. It performs best in cool temperate and warm temperate gardens. In humid subtropical areas it grows well but flowers are lighter, and it is not for the tropics.

Soil. Well-drained, fertile soil. Avoid heavy nitrogen feeding.

Water and feed. Water deeply in the first two summers and in dry spells later. A potash-rich fertiliser after flowering supports next year's blooms.

Pruning. Cut long summer shoots to 5 or 6 buds after flowering and again to 2 or 3 buds in winter. Be patient: young plants can take a few seasons to flower. All parts of wisteria are toxic if eaten, especially the seeds and pods, so it is not a plant for gardens where children or pets chew what they find.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Violacea Plena in 200mm pots in packs of 6, 300mm pots and 400mm pots, with the larger sizes advanced stock on a head start of structure. Plan on a few seasons of training for a full display. Our growers do not hold every size all year, so a size can show as on backorder at times. An order for a backorder size is confirmed with you before anything ships.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Wisteria care and the native alternative
• Browse climbers
• Fragrant plants

Common questions

What makes it double?

Each flower carries extra petals, so the clusters look fuller and ruffled compared with single wisteria.

Is it the same as Black Dragon?

Yes. 'Black Dragon' is a trade name for this double violet-purple form.

Is it toxic?

Yes, the seeds and pods are toxic if eaten, so keep it away from pets and children.