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Wisteria at Dumbarton Oaks

comments (13) April 6th, 2011 in blogs

Michelle Gervais, Associate Editor

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Photo: Michelle Gervais

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I don't think I've ever seen wisteria look as beautiful as it did at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington D.C. when I visited a few years ago. If you ever find yourself in D.C., go and visit this amazing garden. And if you go around April 23rd, when these photos were taken, you might see these sights.

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posted in: vines, DumbartonOaks

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Comments (13)

gardeneraholic writes: I'm thinking about a spot in the front of my house that no mans area it is bordered by a cement side walk on one side , the hard top road an the other and then the gravel drive way on the other two sides . maybe a wooden fence to grow it along, though there is the telephone pole in that space , I wonder if it would eventually grow along the wires and cause problems ? gardeneraholic Posted: 8:35 am on April 8th

petuniababi writes: This is gorgeous!!I want some so badly,but is it really that invasive? I read somewhere that some species of it isn't.Could someone let me know if this is so and if there is,which one to get?Thank you. Posted: 6:03 pm on April 6th

sheilaschultz writes: This is a definite WOW! Posted: 2:49 pm on April 6th

greenthumbs2 writes: Oh what beauty to see in the morning with my cup of coffee here in New England. We just now see the robins and crocuses in our area so these pictures are a real treat. Also you've introduced me to a new garden to visit. Thanks. Posted: 12:11 pm on April 6th

mgervais writes: Peaceofpie, I did a little research on the Dumbarton Oaks website, and it looks like they used mainly Wisteria sinensis. Good thing they have a full-time gardening staff on hand to keep it in check, eh?!
http://www.doaks.org/publications/doaks_online_publications/PlantBook/BFPlBk5.pdf
Posted: 11:09 am on April 6th

betemt writes: The wisteria on the wall of the College of Preachers on the grounds of the National Cathedral is also pretty spectacular and always made me catch my breath when driving by. I've no idea how high it is but it climbs almost to the top of the tower. I left DC a decade ago so hope it is still there. Posted: 10:21 am on April 6th

Stoatley writes: ncgardener, you are right to worry. When I moved into my house in Northern Virginia many years ago I had no idea what this incredibly strong vine was that kept popping up across the whole of my quarter-acre property in late winter -- by spring it was as thick as a young tree, entwining with and growing to the tops of the dogwoods and strangling them, along with the privet hedges and anything else they fancied. This cycle repeats every year. Their roots travel unimpeded underground as thick as my arm. The year I was too tired to fight them was the year one of them bloomed, and I finally had the face of my enemy! Posted: 9:57 am on April 6th

Peaceofpie writes: Michelle, Do you know what Kind of wisteria this is? Chinese or Japnaese? thanks Posted: 9:03 am on April 6th

JAABA writes: Breathtaking! Posted: 7:15 am on April 6th

stanhorst writes: I've loved wisteria for years. I grew up in northern Florida where my dad had me trim our wisteria into a small tree. Although difficult to maintain like that, the beauty of the blooms outweighed the work. Now I much prefer the natural vining characteristic and smile inside whenever I see wisteria.

Stan Horst
Publisher: BetterBenches.com Posted: 6:16 am on April 6th

CookieSanterre writes: Breath taking display of wisteria.
I thought England had the best stands of wisteria but this Dumbarton Oaks has just won the Blue Ribbon.
Thanks for contributing your photo for my daily garden "FIX".
Cookie Posted: 6:14 am on April 6th

ncgardener writes: That is beautiful. I am so worried about it being invasive. I am still on the "fence" as to whether I will try it here in NC. But these pictures make me think it might not be a bad idea. Hmmmm....... Posted: 6:00 am on April 6th

Deanneart writes: Nothing quite says spring like the graceful, abundant blossos of wisteria, love this! Still waiting for my standard, white wisteria to show any signs of breaking dormancy... Posted: 5:51 am on April 6th

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Welcome to the Fine Gardening GARDEN PHOTO OF THE DAY blog!

Every weekday we post a new photo of a great garden, a spectacular plant, a stunning plant combination, or any number of other subjects. Think of it as your morning jolt of green.

Sign up to get new posts delivered to your inbox each morning so you'll always remember to take a look, or subscribe to our RSS feed. We look forward to sharing our garden travels with you.

If you think you have a photo that we should share on the Garden Photo of the day, email us. Send hi-res images to mgervais@taunton.com with GPOD in the subject line. We'll only respond if we plan to use your photo.