Chinese wisteria vs Mountain clematis

Chinese wisteria and Mountain clematis are often considered for the same spot in the garden (screening, flowers, pollinator friendly). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Chinese wisteria

Wisteria sinensis 10 m × 8 m after 10 years

Its fragrant, hanging flower clusters suit a sturdy pergola or a substantial support beside a sunny wall, while the summer foliage provides shade.…

Climber

Full sun

Part shade

from about CZK 500

Mountain clematis

Clematis montana 8 m × 4 m after 10 years

One of the most vigorous clematis: it climbs by twisting leaf stalks, so it needs wires, a trellis, a fence or an old tree, and will not go up a…

Climber

Full sun

Part shade

from about CZK 400

Key differences

Chinese wisteria grows larger: 10 m × 8 m after ten years, against 8 m × 4 m for Mountain clematis (an estimate: sources differ).
Chinese wisteria is hardier: down to -26 °C, against -18 °C for Mountain clematis.
Chinese wisteria tolerates drought better than Mountain clematis.
Mountain clematis needs less care than Chinese wisteria.

Which one to choose?

Chinese wisteria is the better choice if the garden is cold or a frost pocket or you cannot water regularly.

Mountain clematis is the better choice if space is tight or you have little time for care.

Watch out for

Chinese wisteria

Late spring frosts in Central Europe can damage flower buds and open flowers. Seed-grown plants (cheap plants sold without a cultivar name usually are) may not flower for 10 to 15 years, so buy a grafted or cutting-grown plant sold under a cultivar name; shade, excessive nitrogen and incorrect pruning can also reduce flowering. Waterlogging can cause root rot, and strongly alkaline soil can produce iron chlorosis. Prolonged dry spells require supplementary watering. It needs a very strong, permanent support (heavy timber, steel pipe, tensioned steel wire), because its stems thicken to the width of an arm and can crush weak supports, damage gutters and strangle small trees; check regularly for suckers and shoots rooting into the soil. Garden escapes have been documented in Central Europe, but an official invasive classification could not be established clearly from the sources examined.

Mountain clematis

It is less hardy than other garden clematis: in Central Europe hard, windy winters can kill it back, and a late spring frost can destroy the developed flower buds, leaving it without flowers that year. Plant it by a sheltered wall and mulch the base. Pruning in winter or spring removes the flower buds. It grows very large and quickly overruns and weighs down small trellises, gutters and roof tiles. Clematis wilt, aphids, snails and earwigs can occur.

The data side by side

Feature	Chinese wisteria	Mountain clematis
Group	Climber	Climber
Size after 10 years	10 m × 8 m (uncertain)	8 m × 4 m (uncertain)
Ultimate size	8–15 m × 4–10 m (uncertain)	5–12 m × 2.4–4.5 m
Growth rate	Fast	Fast
Light	Full sun, Part shade	Full sun, Part shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous
Hardiness	down to -26 °C (USDA 5, RHS H7)	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)
Heat tolerance	High (uncertain)	Medium
Foliage	Deciduous	Deciduous
Flowering	April–June, purple, blue, white, pink	May–June, white, pink
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium	Low
Maintenance	High	Low
Planting distance	400 cm	200 cm
For dogs	Toxic	Toxic
For cats	Toxic	Toxic
For children	Toxic (uncertain)	Toxic
Typical price	approx. CZK 530	approx. CZK 400

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026

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