Alphabetical Plant Listing

Most Fragrant Wisteria

Chinese Wisteria, Japanese Wisteria, Silky Wisteria, Wisteria sinensis, Wisteria floribunda, Wisteria brachybotrys


Wisteria is a popular climbing plant known for its stunning and fragrant flowers. There are several species of Wisteria, but the two most common are the Japanese Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) and the Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis). They produce clusters of fragrant, pea-like flowers in shades of white, pink, lavender, and blue.

However, not all Wisteria flowers are created 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 to almost overpowering.

These are some of the most fragrant cultivars you can grow in your garden:

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 are borne on long racemes that hang down in a graceful manner.

Wisteria 'Shiro Kapitan': This is a white-flowering cultivar with a strong, sweet fragrance. The flowers bloom in late spring and are held on racemes that are up to 6 inches (15 cm) in length.

Wisteria 'Kuchi-Beni': This is a pink-flowering cultivar that 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': This is one of the most fragrant Wisteria varieties. It produces long, drooping clusters of lavender flowers that are incredibly sweetly fragrant.

Wisteria 'Royal Purple': This cultivar produces deep purple flowers that are sweetly fragrant. The flowers are held on long racemes that can reach up to 20 inches (50 cm) in length.

Wisteria 'Jako': This Japanese cultivar produces white flowers that are highly fragrant with a musky scent. The flowers bloom in late spring and are held on long racemes that can reach up to 12 inches (30 cm) in length.

These fragrant cultivars can be grown as standalone plants, trained on trellises, or used to create beautiful and fragrant garden arches. Their fragrance will fill your garden with a delightful scent and add beauty to your outdoor space.

When selecting a fragrant Wisteria variety, it's important to consider other factors, such as the plant's growth habit and flower color. Some varieties have shorter racemes than others, making them better suited for growing on walls or in smaller spaces. Others have longer racemes that are more suitable for covering pergolas or other large structures. Additionally, Wisteria varieties are available in a wide range of colors, so it's important to choose a variety that will complement the existing color scheme of your garden.

Guide Information

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 5 - 8
Climate Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Climbers
Plant Family Wisteria
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early,Mid)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance High
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought
Attracts Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Wall-Side Borders, Walls and Fences
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
Compare All Wisteria Great Plant Combination Ideas with Wisteria Guides with Wisteria

g215 / 123RF Stock Photo

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 5 - 8
Climate Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Climbers
Plant Family Wisteria
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early,Mid)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance High
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought
Attracts Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Wall-Side Borders, Walls and Fences
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
Compare All Wisteria Great Plant Combination Ideas with Wisteria Guides with Wisteria

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.