Magnificent it certainly is as May is the month when it blooms in profusion and wafts its subtle fragrance all around, but wisteria can also be a home wrecker if you let it get out of control. This vigorous vine has been known to rip shingles from roofs, damage the siding and cause havoc with the gutters. In one of my previous gardens a mature wisteria grew at the end of a long beech hedge. Each year I had to spend more time cutting back rogue wisteria shoots that appeared halfway along the hedge than trimming the beech hedge itself. So the answer is control and the video below has some handy tips on how you can do this.

Just to redress the balance now watch this video which displays wisteria in all its glorious colors.