Wisteria belongs to the Fabaceae family. Cultivated for the last 1000 years in China and Japan, it was introduced to Europe in the mid-19th century. This genus includes three species: Wisteria floribunda, Wisteria sinensis and Wisteria venusta. All are hardy and bear flowers in the form of tapered clusters, fragrant and melliferous, in April. It is a climbing plant which requires a support on which to become established, its shoots systematically twine around the first available support. It is suited to all soils, in fact poor soils encourage more profuse flowers. Over-lush vegetation will diminish the production of flowers.