While wisteria is a very attractive plant, especially during its spring flowering period, it is unfortunately also very poisonous. Therefore, it is not suitable for a family garden. If you have small children, remove the plant.
Removing the roots is hard work for larger wisteria
Even two of the rather small seeds can cause severe symptoms of poisoning in children. Since the bean-shaped pods burst open with a loud bang, they are extremely tempting for the little ones and poisoning is unfortunately not uncommon. You should avoid this risk if possible.
How can I remove Wisteria from my garden?
First, remove all above-ground parts of the plant by radically pruning your Wisteria and sawing off thicker shoots. Then you should carefully dig up the roots. According to reports, the wisteria can sprout again even if only small parts of it remain in the ground. Since the wisteria is hardy, you should check this in the following year and possibly rework it.
There are various more or less serious tips for killing or destroying the last root parts remaining in the soil. Before resorting to harsh chemistry, try the more harmless methods, such as hacking out the roots or covering them opaque with, for example, a dark holeless flower pot.
What should I consider at work?
Wisteria is very toxic in all parts of the plant, so you should be as careful when removing it as you are with radical pruning. The bark contains, among other things, alkaloids that are very irritating to the skin. To prevent dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), avoid direct contact with the skin. When working, do not wear shorts and t-shirts, instead wear long clothing and gardening gloves.
The essentials in brief:
- very poisonous, not suitable for family gardens
- Cut or saw above-ground plant parts
- wear long clothes and gloves
- Dig up and/or chop roots
- Dispose of carefully, outside of your own garden
- Check for new shoots next year and remove them if necessary
tips
If you want to remove wisteria from your garden, then work very carefully. Otherwise, root residues left in the soil may sprout again next year.