"Sacha" wrote in message
...
I've seen Wisteria grown as free standing shrubs in the middle of a lawn
and, indeed, we're doing the same with one here. This will allow the
branches to sweep down onto the lawn in time. But yesterday at
Knightshayes we saw two planted in a formal area and grown with bare
trunks
to about 5' above the ground and then allowed to branch forth as they
wished, just as trees would. The overall effect was of some giant Bonsai
and even though they weren't in flower the twisted branches and lovely
bark
gave a magnificent impression. There was no sign of a supporting
structure
now but I think there must have been in the beginning to get the trunk
straight and strong. There was also a very mature weeping silver pear,
Pyrus salicifolia 'Pendula, which looked magnificent and made us wonder
why
people don't grow it more.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/


I have two freestanders - both supported.
I suppose that if they were in a very sheltered area, there would be no
need for supports once the "trunk" had matured.
You would also need to prune the laterals to ensure that the canopy was in
balance.
I have previously published a piccy of one of them here by url reference.

Good luck with yours !
Pete
www.thecanalshop.com