Marianne's Response

Wisteria pruning to redirect branches

I have a wisteria that is taking over my shed. It is growing wonderfully but is now hiding the sun. I have plants under it now that need sun (climbing roses, lilies, irises, etc) that are no longer getting any sun. Would it be better to prune the wisteria? Is it OK to prune it now or better to wait till the end of the season? Or is it OK to get a ladder out and try to force the branches to go over the roof of the shed? We live in Roy, WA.

Posted by dogluvr on May 24, 2014

Marianne's Response

Prune away! When your wisteria is done blooming you can shorten all the branches and redirect the wild growth by forcing branches to go where they belong. You can even tie them down. Wisteria needs lots of room but can take a lot of pruning. Do not fertilize or water this vine. You can also prune in the late summer again. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti