Individual flowers in the clusters open all at once for a very showy display. Flowers are violet-blue and slightly fragrant. Plants are most showy from early to mid-May in most seasons. There is also a white flowering form of Chinese wisteria, W. sinensis 'Alba,' which is very fragrant. Japanese wisteria grows to a height of 25 feet or more and has violet-blue, fragrant flowers that bloom as the foliage is also expanding.
Individual flowers open gradually from the base of the cluster to the tip.
Clusters can be 12 to 18 inches in length and are effective in late May in most seasons. The plant has yellow fall foliage color. There are numerous cultivars of Japanese wisteria with various flower colors. They will adapt to most soils, though they prefer a neutral to slightly acid soil pH of 6.0-7.0 for best results. Some type of support will be necessary as mature plants can be quite heavy.