Blue Moon Wisteria
Blue Moon Wisteria
Cold-Hardy, Reblooming Wisteria with Fragrant Lavender-Blue Racemes
Blue Moon Wisteria (Wisteria macrostachya 'Blue Moon') makes the dream of wisteria possible in cold country. A selection of our native Kentucky wisteria, it's hardy to roughly -40°F and blooms reliably with fragrant, foot-long lavender-blue racemes — then reblooms two or three more times through summer. It's far better behaved than the aggressive Asian wisterias, but still a strong vine that needs a sturdy structure. Whether you're draping an arbor in Edina, framing a pergola in Maple Grove, or adding romance to a Woodbury garden — Blue Moon brings true wisteria to zone 4b–5a (and colder) yards.
Blue Moon Wisteria Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Wisteria macrostachya 'Blue Moon' |
| Plant Type | Deciduous woody climbing vine (native Kentucky wisteria) |
| Mature Length | 15–25 feet on a strong support; vigorous |
| Sun | Full sun (6+ hours) for the most blooms; tolerates part shade with fewer flowers |
| Water | Moderate — consistent moisture in well-draining soil |
| USDA Zones | 3–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a); hardy to about -40°F |
| Soil | Rich, well-draining; amend Minnesota clay-loam with compost. Avoid high-nitrogen feeding, which delays bloom. |
| Bloom | Fragrant lavender-blue racemes (~12 inches) in late spring, reblooming 2–3 more times in summer; on new and old wood |
| Habit | Strong vine, but far less aggressive than Asian wisterias |
| Winter Hardiness | Exceptional — to about -40°F |
Blue Moon Wisteria Uses in Minnesota Landscapes
Arbors and pergolas
The cascading racemes are made to drip from a sturdy arbor or pergola in a Plymouth garden, where you can stand beneath them.
Fragrant focal vine
Its sweet scent and repeat bloom make it a centerpiece near a patio or entry in Eden Prairie.
Native-based pollinator vine
As a native-species selection, it supports bees while staying manageable, unlike invasive Asian wisterias.
Best Time to Plant Blue Moon Wisteria in Minnesota
Spring (late April–May) and early fall (late August–September) are both excellent. Avoid summer heat, and never plant after mid-October — frost-heaving kills new roots.
How to Plant Blue Moon Wisteria
- Build a strong, permanent support first — a heavy arbor or pergola. Mature wisteria is heavy and long-lived; flimsy trellises will fail.
- Choose a full-sun site for the best bloom. Dig 2–3× the root width.
- Backfill with native soil plus compost. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer, which pushes leaves over flowers.
- Water in well and mulch 2–3 inches, kept off the trunk.
- Train a main stem up the support and tie as it grows.
- Prune twice a year — midsummer and late winter — cutting back long whippy shoots to encourage flowering spurs.
Watering Blue Moon Wisteria in Minnesota
First Year Watering Schedule
- Weeks 1–2: Every 2–3 days, deep and slow
- Month 1–2: Every 3–4 days
- Month 3–6: Weekly; keep evenly moist while establishing
- Stop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities).
After Year One
Water during dry spells, especially in summer heat. Established wisteria is fairly drought-tolerant.
How soon will it bloom?
Blue Moon flowers younger than Asian wisterias — often within 2–3 years — and reblooms through summer once established. Full sun, lean soil, and proper pruning speed things along.
Is it as aggressive as the wisteria I've heard horror stories about?
No — those are Asian wisterias. Blue Moon is a native Kentucky wisteria: vigorous and needing a strong support, but far more manageable and not invasive here.
Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — it's the hardiest wisteria available, surviving to about -40°F, which is why it's the one wisteria that reliably blooms in our climate.
You May Also Like
- Climbing Hydrangea — a shade-tolerant flowering vine
- Jackmanii Clematis — an easy, classic flowering vine
- Autumn Revolution Bittersweet — a native vine with fall berries