Wisteria Flower: Meaning, Symbolism, and Colors

Introduction

Wisteria belongs to a genus of flowering plants, and is a member of the legume family, known as Fabaceae. The Wisteria plant itself consists of 10 species of vines, woody and twining, and are native to Japan, China, Vietnam, Korea, Eastern USA and Southern Canada. The north of Iran also boasts Wisteria plants in abundance. In all these parts of the world, Wisteria grows wild and free. Nonetheless, the plants were introduced to Germany, France and other European countries later. Due to their beauty in terms of the colors of their flowers, and the nature of their flowing growth, they are appealing. Wisteria flower meaning takes on different aspects, depending on the plant in question and the colors of flowers.

The earliest known history of Wisteria dates back to a botanist, Thomas Nuttall, who named the plant after an American physician, Caspar Wistar. The two were living in the city of Philadelphia at the time. This is among the stories about the origins of the name. Another story about the name, “Wisteria”, comes from the Portuguese geologist and botanist, Jose Francisco Correia DA Serra. It is said that he was a friend of Wistar and named the plant Wisteria in honor of his friendship.

What Do Wisteria Flowers Symbolize?

Wisterias are invasive plants, and as vines go, they climb very fast. They can completely overrun a wall or any facade if left to grow on their own without pruning. Vines are robust, and as thick as your wrist. These can twine their stems across and around whatever support seems available. Several botanists have tried to uncover Wisteria flower meaning through the direction in which the vines grow. For instance, Wisteria that grows in Japan twines in a clockwise direction, and that grown in China, twines in an anti-clockwise direction. Nonetheless, other than offering a clue to the distinct kinds of Wisteria, botanists don’t know exactly why this occurs.

The symbolism of Wisteria, traced back to the ancient civilizations in the East, is present in old Chinese and Japanese art, in woodblock prints and all other forms of art, including tapestries. Throughout a number of centuries, in Japan and China, Wisteria and its racemes are popularized in heraldry and family crests. In Japan, the famous Kabuki dance drama called “Fuji Musume” (The Wisteria Maiden), is centered around a woman who becomes the embodiment of Wisteria in spirit. In the West, too, Wisteria is included in all forms of art, such as in tiles and stained-glass, used in realism and stylistically inspired art forms. The ancient Far Eastern cultures believe that Wisteria is symbolic of wisdom and long life, whatever the color of the flower is.

What Do the Various Colors of the Wisteria Flower Mean?

Wisteria, available in flamboyant colors, such as white, pink, lilac, lavender-blue, mauve and rich pink, lend to its mystery and charm. The long and pendulous flowers of the plant are a source of elegance and beauty to many an eye. If you would like to know about the popular Wisteria shades, you can find out below:

• Pink Wisteria – Pink Wisteria, characterized by masses of hanging sprays of beautiful pink flowers with white mixed in, symbolize an aura of youth and beauty. The shades of pink may range from a baby blush to a deeper hue.

• White Wisteria – White Wisteria, like any white flower of beauty and grace, represents purity and truth. This color of the plant can be seen in vines growing as creepers in many old churches and cathedrals in some parts of Europe. White also symbolizes austerity, and you may well find white Wisteria hanging down from old mansions and manors of the wealthy.

• Lilac and Purple Wisteria – In terms of lilac and purple Wisteria, Wisteria flower meaning spells award-winning flowers. This is mainly the Japanese Wisteria flower color, and with flowers having a heavenly aroma, Japanese Wisteria is much sought-after. You will see flashes of pale blue and purple blooms with a little yellow in the center. This flower is symbolic of royalty and all this plush and opulent. The blooms themselves are cascading and full, looking like a full cover of velvet elegance.

Interesting Facts and Characteristics of the Wisteria Flower

• The Wisteria plant and flower belongs to the family of legumes. This includes beans, lentils and peas.
• The name of the plant has many origins, but according to famed lore, Wisteria got its name after an American doctor, Caspar Wistar.
• Ten identified species of the Wisteria plant and flower exist, but there could be more.
• Most Wisteria grown in Asia has been in existence for centuries. This has grown and developed naturally in parts of Iran, China and Japan predominantly.
• The world’s biggest Wisteria flowering plant grows in Sierra Madre, in the state of California, planted in 1894.
• Wisteria flowers grow fast. Nonetheless, if planted from a seed, flowers take decades to grow. Growth of lowers is fast if Wisteria is grown from cuttings/cultivars.
• If you want your Wisteria flowers to grow and thrive, rose fertilizer does wonders for abundant development.
• True Wisteria flower meaning comes alive when Wisteria is given ample space to grow.

The Best Time to Gift Someone Wisteria Flowers

Wisteria is a greedy plant as regards food and water. If you are thinking of gifting it to someone, it should never be given as a potted plant. As it needs ample space to grow, and cannot rest itself on its own structure, you must gift this with care. It is possible for you to gift someone Wisteria seeds, provided you are sure that the plant and its blooms will grow adequately in a place suited to it.

In case you wish to gift it to a friend for further growth, make sure that your friend has a large garden with a wall or balustrade to support it. Cuttings of the plant can be given at any time of the year, either as accents to a colorful bouquet, or in a wreath. The flowers have a sweet scent, but they are toxic as far as some varieties go. You should check on what you are giving in advance.