Wisteria is a vine plant that has a unique flowering. Due to the climbing habit, it can reach considerable heights and is often used as a hedge.
There are many species of these plants, but the most popular are Wisteria frutescens and Wisteria macrostachya. The most common varieties of these two species are Amethyst Falls and Blue Moon. Exactly about them, we will talk today.
The first difference between today’s competitors is that the Blue Moon variety belongs to Wisteria macrostachya. This species is common in the United States and has another name – Kentucky wisteria.
While Amethyst Falls belongs to the species Wisteria Frutescens and has the folk name American wisteria, these plants are also common in North America. They are most often found in Virginia, Michigan, and New York.
Due to belonging to different species, these two wisterias have many differences. But their real competitors are Japanese and Chinese wisterias. The advantage of Asian species is more lush flowering, and the disadvantage is low frost resistance.
Blue Moon hardier
Both of these wisteria blooms on new wood, which means that they are not afraid of severe winter frosts. Their flower buds begin to form in the spring, so they tolerate winter well, which is not the case with Asian wisteria.
Amethyst Falls is considered an early flowering wisteria. Its flowering period begins in May. At this time, in the hardiness zone 4, quite severe frosts can occur, and as a result, the young flower buds can be damaged. That is why this variety is recommended to grow from 5 to 9 zones.
At the same time, Blue Moon is a late flowering variety. It begins to bloom no earlier than June, and sometimes it can be the beginning of the month and sometimes in the middle. As a result, late frosts cannot damage it even in zone 4.
There is also information about the successful cultivation of this variety in USDA zone 3. However, here you need to choose the right place. It must be protected from strong frost wind.
So thanks to the late flowering Blue Moon is better adapted to cold climates and, as a result, is available to a broader audience of gardeners.
Amethyst Falls less fragrant
When it comes to smell, most gardeners want their plants to be very fragrant. If you belong to such gardeners, then Amethyst Falls will disappoint you; its smell is barely perceptible. You are unlikely to feel what this variety smells like in a large garden or the distance.
On the other hand, Blue Moon has an intense aroma that fills the garden during flowering. People describe this smell in different ways, some call it sweet, but one thing is for sure that you will enjoy not only the view but also the scent of this variety.
However, the intense smell is not always good. If you have a small yard surrounded by a deaf fence, the Blue Moon may not be suitable for you because its pungent smell can be annoying.
So Blue Moon is suitable for those who have a large yard with good air circulation. Otherwise, it is better to choose Amethyst Falls.
Their color is different
The color of these varieties is quite different. Of course, it’s all shades of blue, but still, their flowers look different.
Amethyst Falls has violet flowers. Depending on the growing conditions, they can sometimes be even intensely purple but will never be clear blue.
On the other hand, Blue Moon lives up to its name, and its flowers are really blue, sometimes lighter and sometimes darker. It is also possible that the color will have a slight purple tint but not as intense as in Amethyst Falls.
Remember, to get good blooms and rich colors of flowers, you need to provide both of them with enough direct sunlight. Please put them in a place where they will get at least 6 hours of sun a day no matter what hardiness zone you live in.
Blue Moon blooms trice a season
Almost all wisterias bloom once a year except for today’s two varieties.
Amethyst Falls first blooms in early spring. Reblooming is possible in the second half of summer. However, this is not always true, and sometimes this variety may not bloom a second time at all.
At the same time, Blue Moon blooms for the first time in early summer. Reblooming occurs in mid-summer, and the third time this wisteria blooms in August.
Of course, in some years, the second and third flowering may not be, but in general, Blue Moon rebloom much more often than its competitor.
You also need to keep in mind that the second flowering of both of these varieties is not as lush as the first flowering because the plant is exhausted and does not have enough strength to form a large number of flowers.
So here, Blue Moon wins in Amethyst Falls because it is able to provide a more extended period of enjoyment of beautiful flowers and scent.
Blue Moon has lusher clusters of flowers
Wisteria Blue Moon inflorescences look lusher and richer. This effect is achieved due to the fact that racemes consist of 60-70 flowers. As a result, clusters of flowers become like bunches of grapes.
Also, the length of the racemes is 12 inches, meaning you get long and lush cascades of blue flowers.
With Amethyst Falls, everything is a little different. Inflorescences consist of an average of 30-45 flowers, and their length is approximately 7 inches. So the overall look is not as spectacular as the competitor.
Although the flowers of Blue Moon look richer, for some, it can be a disadvantage. The more flowers, the more petals will be on the surface after flowering. In small gardens, this can be a real problem.
There have been cases when people are really tired of cleaning up after the Blue Moon blooms. On the other hand, to get a truly fabulous view, you need to work hard.
Amethyst Falls has more leaves
The main difference between these two wisterias is the foliage. The leaves of all wisteria are arranged oddly on long drooping branches. Amethyst Falls has 11-15 leaves on each leaf branch. At the same time, Blue Moon has ‘only’ 7-11. As a result, its foliage is less dense.
Wisteria is valued primarily for its magnificent blooms, and leaves are of secondary importance here.
However, if you want to use it as a privacy plant, then you better choose Amethyst Falls because this variety will help you create a better hedge for privacy than Blue Moon.