How to prune wisteria floribunda

Summer: August (reduce new shoots to 5–6 leaves). Winter: January–February (shorten to 2–3 buds). In August, cut all new lateral shoots to 5–6 leaves from the main stem. In January–February, shorten those shoots to 2–3 buds from the base. Tie in any shoots needed to extend the main framework; remove the rest.

Twice yearly — August and January–February. Wisteria floribunda (Japanese wisteria) requires the same disciplined twice-yearly pruning as Chinese wisteria to flower reliably. Japanese wisteria twines clockwise and produces longer racemes; the pruning calendar is identical. Neglect leads to a vigorous, flower-shy plant. Summer and winter cuts build the short, productive flowering spurs.

In August, cut all new lateral shoots to 5–6 leaves from the main stem. In January–February, shorten those shoots to 2–3 buds from the base. Tie in any shoots needed to extend the main framework; remove the rest.