Wisteria hysteria: RBKC’s favourite flowering vine

Every spring, the streets of south-west London are transformed. Daffodils and crocuses begin growing in people’s gardens, while cherry and magnolia blossom fill the squares. But perhaps the most beautiful sight is the long tresses of lilac flowers that spread across the facades of Kensington and Chelsea.

These curtains of purple blossom are wisteria sinensis. The plant is native to Eastern Asia, Iran and parts of Northern America. However, the climbing vine so beloved by English gardeners was imported to Britain from Central China.

Wisteria was introduced by James Reeves, a tea inspector for the East India Company. In 1816, after visiting Canton (now Guangzhou) – known as the ‘city of flowers’ – he shipped two specimens of the vine back to England.

One was sent to Kew Gardens, while the other ended up in nearby Chiswick. A cutting was planted outside the head brewer’s cottage at Fuller’s Griffin Brewery. Each spring the building was covered with beautiful flowers, helping to popularise the plant in West London. And it still flowers to this day, claiming to be the oldest wisteria in England.

At first, the vine was difficult to import and expensive to propagate. Cuttings cost about six guineas – roughly £500 in modern money – meaning they were only available to the upper classes. However, by the early Victorian period prices had dropped to two shillings a plant, and it soon became a favourite among gardeners.

In the nineteenth century, wisteria was planted in the gardens and parks of country houses like Iford Manor in Wiltshire or Nymans in West Sussex. It was also used to add colour and character to the courtyards of university buildings, like Magdalen College in Oxford and Jesus College Cambridge.

The plant was especially popular with the gardeners Gertrude Jekyll and William Robinson. Inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement, they rejected the formality of Victorian ‘bedding’ and instead used plants like wisteria gave an impression of nature as abundant and unruly. At the same time, once the vine had become established, it also suggested a sense of history and continuity.

West London remains one of the best places in the country to see the spring blooms. The flowers look especially attractive against the white stucco of terraces and townhouses, and each year social media feeds are filled with the best examples.

Any wisteria tour should begin with the plants in Kew Gardens, Chiswick House and Fulham Palace – as well as the old Griffin Brewery on Chiswick Mall. From there, the wide street of villas in Notting Hill contain several special vines, with Bedford Gardens putting on a spectacular display each spring.

Next, in Kensington, wisteria is draped round the entrance arches of Kynance Mews, and ornaments the pastel-painted houses on Horbury Mews. Finally, in Chelsea, several impressive plants decorate houses in Cheyne Walk and St Leonard’s Terrace.

May is also the month of Chelsea in Bloom, which runs alongside the famous flower show (18th – 24th). Each year, the shops near Sloane Square are decorated with wonderful floral arrangements. However, most locals agree that the best displays of spring blooms are found in the gardens where wisteria plants grow.

We have some exceptional properties available for sale which showcase Wisteria. See the carousel below to find out more.