Simmering Wisteria: An Aromatic Experience

Wisteria is a popular climbing plant with fragrant, pea-like flowers in shades of white, pink, lavender, and blue. Its scent is described as spicy, floral, and nuanced with lilac and clove. While wisteria is not commonly used in perfumery, some perfumes that feature its scent include Burberry's My Burberry Blush, Marc Jacobs' Daisy Dream, and Dame Perfumery's Soliflore Wisteria. However, it's important to note that not all wisteria flowers are equally fragrant, and some cultivars like 'Amethyst Falls' are even known for their unpleasant smell.

Simmering wisteria for fragrance: does it work?

Wisteria is a popular climbing plant known for its fragrant flowers. However, not all wisteria flowers are equal when it comes to fragrance. Some varieties release a musky fragrance, while others exude a sweet scent. Their fragrance ranges from faint to strong and almost overpowering.

While wisteria is commonly used in perfumes, there is little information available on whether it can be simmered for fragrance. However, it is possible that simmering wisteria flowers in water may release their fragrance into the air, similar to how potpourri is made.

To simmer wisteria for fragrance, you can follow these steps:

• Collect a handful of wisteria flowers.
• Place the flowers in a small pot or saucepan.
• Add enough water to cover the flowers.
• Place the pot or saucepan on the stove and turn the heat to low.
• Allow the water to simmer gently for 30 minutes to an hour, adding more water as needed to prevent boiling dry.
• Enjoy the fragrance that fills your home!

It is important to note that simmering wisteria may not have the same fragrance intensity as a perfume, and the scent may vary depending on the variety of wisteria used. Additionally, some people have reported that certain cultivars of wisteria, such as 'Amethyst Falls', can have an unpleasant smell similar to cat urine. Therefore, it is essential to choose a fragrant variety of wisteria for simmering.

Overall, while there is no guarantee that simmering wisteria will fill your home with a pleasant fragrance, it may be worth experimenting with if you have access to fragrant wisteria flowers.

Wisteria varieties with the best scent

Wisteria is a popular climbing plant known for its fragrant flowers. While all wisterias are scented, some are more fragrant than others, and their fragrances range from mild to overwhelming. Here are some of the Wisteria varieties with the best scent:

Wisteria ‘Murasaki Kapitan’

This cultivar is known for its fragrant violet-blue flowers that bloom in mid-spring. The scent is sweet and strong, making it a popular choice for those who want a fragrant garden.

Wisteria ‘Okayama’

This Japanese cultivar produces lavender-blue flowers that are sweetly fragrant. The flowers gracefully hang down on long racemes.

Wisteria ‘Shiro Kapitan’

This cultivar produces white flowers with a strong, sweet fragrance. The flowers bloom in late spring and are held on racemes that can be up to 6 inches (15 cm) long.

Wisteria ‘Kuchi-Beni’

This pink-flowering cultivar is highly fragrant with a musky scent. The flowers are held on long racemes that can reach up to 10 inches (45 cm) in length.

Wisteria floribunda ‘Lawrence’

Considered one of the most fragrant Wisteria varieties, it produces long, drooping clusters of lavender flowers with an incredibly sweet fragrance.

Wisteria ‘Royal Purple’

This cultivar produces deep purple flowers with a sweet fragrance. The flowers are held on long racemes, up to 20 inches (50 cm) in length.

Wisteria ‘Jako’

This Japanese cultivar produces white flowers with a highly fragrant, musky scent. Blooming in late spring, the flowers are held on long racemes that can reach up to 12 inches (30 cm) in length.

These Wisteria varieties can be grown as standalone plants or trained to grow on structures like trellises, arches, or pergolas, filling your garden with their delightful scents.

Commercial wisteria perfumes

Nest Fragrances

Nest offers an eau de parfum spray in Wisteria Blue, as well as a rollerball trio that includes Wisteria Blue alongside Black Tulip and Midnight Fleur scents.

Lathered Artisan

Lathered Artisan offers a natural fragrance oil perfume with essential oils. It is alcohol-free and handcrafted, blending wisteria and lilac fragrances. It is available as a roll-on or a spray.

Sweet Essentials

Sweet Essentials offers a wisteria fragrance oil that can be used as perfume, as well as a hair detangler and frizz controller. Their product is made with organic oils and is safe for sensitive skin.

P&J Trading

P&J Trading offers a wisteria-scented fragrance oil that can be used for candle-making, soap-making, or as a diffuser oil. It is available in 10ml, 30ml, and 120ml sizes.

Demeter Fragrance Library

Demeter offers a range of wisteria-scented products, including cologne spray, body lotion, bath & body oil, diffuser oil, and perfume oil roll-on. Their fragrance captures the experience of the living flower with a soft and slightly spicy scent.

Crabtree & Evelyn

Crabtree & Evelyn offers a wisteria perfume, although it is currently out of stock.

Other Brands

In addition to the brands mentioned above, wisteria perfumes or fragrances are also available from the following brands:

• Jo Malone London
• Alkemia Perfumes
• Lanvin
• Jean Charles Brosseau
• Marc Jacobs
• Oriflame
• Shiseido
• Monotheme Venezia
• Neil Morris
• I Profumi di Firenze
• Roberto Cavalli
• Gucci
• Bath & Body Works
• Stephen Jones
• Keiko Mecheri
• En Voyage Perfumes
• Masaki Matsushima
• Lucky Brand
• Roja Dove
• Florence by Mills
• Ella Mikao
• Grès
• Michel Germain
• Cale Fragranze d’Autore
• Acqua di Genova
• Glamour & Heels
• Lotus Noir Perfumery
• Claude Marsal Parfums
• Parfums Constantine
• Celine Dion
• Fiorucci
• La Senza
• Apple Parfums
• Angelos Créations Olfactives
• Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab
• Kelly Brook
• ID Parfums
• Parfums Genty
• Lorenzo Pazzaglia
• KKW Fragrance
• Christine Lavoisier Parfums
• Esquisse Parfum
• Carven
• Ikiryō
• Eric Buterbaugh Florals
• Oriza L. Legrand
• Givenchy
• Roccobarocco
• Sergio Nero
• Pryn Parfum
• Jacques Evard
• Oscar de la Renta
• Kate Moss
• M. Asam
• Emanuel Ungaro
• L'Amande
• Profumi di Pantelleria
• Maison Wolf Parfumeur
• Tom Ford
• Yves de Sistelle
• Gosh
• Braccialini
• Anne Fontaine
• Tous
• Love Passport
• Nina Ricci
• Pink MahogHany Fragrances
• Mariah Carey
• Rance 1795
• Pineider
• DSH Perfumes
• Pierre Balmain
• Parfums Genty
• Lorenzo Pazzaglia
• KKW Fragrance
• Christine Lavoisier Parfums
• Parle Moi de Parfum
• Dame Perfumery
• Avon
• Marc Jacobs
• Oriflame
• Shiseido
• Monotheme Venezia
• Calvin Klein
• Elizabeth Arden
• Neil Morris
• I Profumi di Firenze
• Roberto Cavalli
• Lanvin
• Jean Charles Brosseau
• Stephen Jones
• Keiko Mecheri
• En Voyage Perfumes

How to grow wisteria

Wisteria is a gorgeous climber that produces cascades of fragrant flowers in spring, with occasional flowers in summer. It is a vigorous plant that needs regular pruning and training to keep it in check and flowering well. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to grow wisteria:

When to Plant Wisteria

Wisteria is best planted in spring or autumn while the plant is dormant. Container-grown wisterias can be planted at any time of the year, but are easier to care for in autumn or winter.

Where to Plant Wisteria

Plant wisteria in full sun in fertile, moist, but well-drained soil. Wisteria will grow in partial shade, but it probably won't flower. Sunlight is essential. Choose a site away from other plants, as wisteria grows quickly and can easily overtake its neighbours. Wisteria is also known for growing into nearby structures, so it is advised not to plant them too close to your home.

What to Plant Wisteria In

Wisteria requires a very sturdy structure to climb on, such as a metal or wooden trellis or pergola. If you're growing wisteria in a pot, choose the largest pot you have space for and use a good tree and shrub compost.

How to Plant Wisteria

Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and 2 to 3 times as wide. Space plants 10 to 15 feet apart. Each spring, apply a layer of compost under the plant and a 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds.

Caring for Wisteria

Wisteria is a hungry plant. Feed monthly with a high-potash fertiliser during the growing season to encourage more flowers to bloom. Water your plants if you receive less than one inch of rain each week. Water and feed pot-grown wisterias weekly. In autumn, mulch with organic matter such as well-rotted horse manure or homemade compost.

Pruning and Training Wisteria

Prune wisteria twice a year, in July/August and January/February. Regular pruning means shortening the excessive whippy growth. This allows the wood to ripen and improves the chances of flower buds forming. By pruning in winter as well as summer, you will encourage the development of short spurs that carry the flowers in spring.

What to do about a bad-smelling wisteria

Wisteria is a popular climbing plant known for its fragrant flowers. However, not all wisteria flowers smell pleasant. Some cultivars, such as 'Amethyst Falls', are known for their unpleasant odour, which has been described as resembling cat urine. If you have a bad-smelling wisteria, there are a few things you can do:

• Move the plant to a further away area of your garden.
• Get rid of the plant.
• Live with the smell, as it only lasts for the short time the plant is in bloom.

If you are looking to add a fragrant wisteria to your garden, some of the most fragrant cultivars include:

• Wisteria 'Murasaki Kapitan' - This cultivar has fragrant violet-blue flowers that bloom in mid-spring. The scent is sweet and strong.
• Wisteria 'Okayama' - This Japanese cultivar produces lavender-blue flowers with a sweet fragrance.
• Wisteria 'Shiro Kapitan' - This cultivar has white flowers with a strong, sweet fragrance that bloom in late spring.
• Wisteria 'Kuchi-Beni' - This cultivar has pink flowers with a highly fragrant, musky scent.
• Wisteria floribunda 'Lawrence' - This cultivar produces long, drooping clusters of lavender flowers with a sweet fragrance.
• Wisteria 'Royal Purple' - This cultivar has deep purple flowers with a sweet fragrance.
• Wisteria 'Jako' - This Japanese cultivar has white flowers with a highly fragrant, musky scent that bloom in late spring.

Frequently asked questions