Is Charleston’s Wisteria Invasive? How to Spot the Difference at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

It’s officially Spring in Charleston, SC and it’s likely that purple flowers cascading off of trees and buildings have caught your eye. This is Wisteria, and it's undeniably gorgeous. It looks like something straight out of Bridgerton, but is it good for our Lowcountry ecosystems?

Wisteria sinensis and Wisteria floribunda, also known as Chinese Wisteria and Japanese Wisteria, are invasive species imported to the United States. Although they are prized for their enchanting, prolific flowers, they are also quick to overtake yards, neighborhoods, and buildings if unmanaged. 

Wisteria frutescens, known as American Wisteria, is a native species that has slower, less aggressive growth. It offers a slower, more controlled growth rate, making it the perfect choice for sustainable gardening in Charleston.

Native Wisteria

Invasive Wisteria

There are a few key differences that make it easy to distinguish from the invasive species. American Wisteria grows all of its leaves out first before it blooms later in Spring. Both Chinese and Japanese Wisteria flower before and during leaf-out. If you see Wisteria covered in flowers with minimal leaves in early Spring, it’s sure to be one of the invasive species. American Wisteria also has smaller flowers that grow to be three to six inches long compared to those of the invasive species that can reach up to six to twelve inches long. The invasive Wisteria species are more fragrant and produce fuzzy seed pods while native American Wisteria is less fragrant and has smooth seed pods. Being informed is your first line of defense. Planting the right plant in your landscape can save you time, money and headaches in the future. And you can still have those gorgeous purple flowers.  

Want to see the difference between native and invasive species for yourself? Stroll through our gardens this week to experience the peak of Charleston’s spring colors.