Question
Hi, I have bought and planted a wisteria in my garden last spring. The plant was flowering abundantly at the time of the purchase. The leaves fell out in the winter, and I pruned very little as its a new plant. The buds have been late in opening (the other wisterias near us are already in full bloom), and I got worried but they are now finally starting to open. They all seem to be leaf buds though, and I don't see any flowers buds showing (I found the pictures of those on the internet). Is there any chance that wisteria may flower yet, and if not, why? Also, how can I help it flower next year, as I was really looking forward to those beautiful purple flowers in my garden.

Answer
Hi Maja,
Thanx for your question.  If you were fertilizing the wisteria, don't use one that is high in nitrogen as this will cause all green growth at the expense of the flower.  Be careful not to get lawn fertilizer in the same vicinity as flowering plants because lawn fertilizer is high in Nitrogen.  Sometimes, when one buys a flowering shrub or vine and it is already in bloom, it may not bloom the next season or bloom sparingly due to the shock of being transplanted.  Some plants react negatively like that when they are transplanted.  It may take them a season or two to become acclimated to their new surroundings.  The peony which grows in temperate parts of Asia, Europe and North America will sometimes not bloom for three years after its rhizomes have been disturbed.  I think this is what's going on with your wisteria.  Make sure you buy a fertilizer for it higher in potassium and phosphorus and lower in nitrogen.  When pruning, always do this after the blooming season and not too late in the winter or early spring as you will most likely remove bloom buds that may not be apparent to you.  Control the plant's growth by keeping it trim and clean.  Make sure the wisteria gets 2.5 cm of water per week which equals a very good soaking or about an hour with the standard lawn sprinkler.  I hope this helps.
Tom