Wistaria Still Stunning Despite Windy Weather

The "Glorified Bean" Weathers the Storm

A rash of nasty winter weather this past weekend left Sierra Madre's world-famous wistaria vine a little shaken and slightly more naked than expected, but a sight to behold no less.

"You should have seen it just three days ago," Bill Coburn, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce said Monday morning, introducing the vine to onlookers.

Town Historian Phyllis Chapman, vinekeeper Nel Solt, and others present at the vine Monday all expressed their dismay and hope over the lost blossoms.  

In a Vinekeeper's own Words

Gudrun "Nel" Solt, who has lived in the main home of the vine for the past 39 years, reflected on the weekend storm.

"It has been hard to watch...with the wind and all...when it came it was just snowing flowers; because it was all purple a couple of weeks ago."

Solt is ready for the influx of visitors who will swarm her property Sunday during the Wistaria Festival. Though the festival centers around the vine at her home, her involvement is completely voluntary, and can be anxiety-ridden. 

"When we came [to Sierra Madre], there was not anything very big going on," said Solt, who is of Swedish decent. "We were not told about [the past festivals], and the fact is that we do not have to do it. So when we were asked, we started.

"The first year we had 100 people, and it has been advertised more and more. It can be stressful, but when the day comes it is so much fun.

"People are generally... happy, and when I come out, they talk and thank us, and I feel.... " Reflecting on her feelings about the celebration surrounding the glorious plant, Solt could only really express herself with laughter.   

Caring for "Jack's Beanstalk"

According to Solt, the most arduous task in maintaining the wistaria vine is constantly sweeping away fallen petals and debris, which currently blanket her enchanting back patio.

"Usually sometime in May, after the flowers, it will start to sprout off around the edges, and they have to be cleaned, otherwise they just hang down and die."

"What bugs me the most is all of the dead twigs that get caught up there, so I go up with a ladder to clean away that stuff."

Possibly the most fascinating aspect of the vine is the relationship people have had with it, the absence of which would have arguably ended its reknowned expansion and continuous blossoming decades ago. This world legend is the product of human love and admiration.

"We have a good life together," Solt noted sweetly.

Ready for Festivities

The wistaria vine blankets a three-home stretch of Hermosa Ave. in Sierra Madre with more than 1.5 million lavender-hued blossoms at its peak. The "Guinness Book of World Records" has named it the World's Largest Blossoming Plant, it's estimated to weigh 250 tons, and spans nearly an acre.

It is safe to say that it is going to take more than a weekend of wind and rain to dampen the beauty of this hallowed flora.

The will happen this Sunday, with the blossoms on display to the public from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

More Wistaria Festival Details: