Is it easy to block wisteria roots when planted in the ground?

Hey,

Last year I'd planted 2 wisterias in pots either side of a wooden arch. The one on the right of the photo started to grow really well whereas the left one had much more sunlight. It started well but then lost all its leaves during the hottest days and never really recovered well. I'm assuming the pot got way to hot too.

IF I wanted to plant a wisteria in the ground this year is there a way I could safely make it work as it's near the pond? Or if possible plant one wisteria on the right side and a kiwi vine on the left. Would blocking the pond side of the planted holes with something like a set of horizontally buried slabs to prevent the roots from reaching the pond to pierce the liner?

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A lot depends on what sort of liner the pond has. If it's butyl or EPDM then the roots will probably encircle the pond but not pierce the liner. If it's thin polythene sheet they might well pierce it. I doubt that putting a barrier on one side will stop wisteria roots..they're pretty strong and extensive. If you restrain them, you'll get the same sort of poor growth as if they were in a pot.
Do you know the pH of your soil? Kiwis don't like lime. If you're growing for fruit, make sure that you get a self-fertile variety like 'Jenny' or 'Solo'.

 

I can feel roots under my pond liner they tend to just push the liner up and travel underneath.
They will push through if the liner has become brittle which can happen around the top edges due to UV from the sun.

 

I'd used a foam liner under the pond and then like thick heavy duty liner from Swell UK, not sure of the material. I thought if I used some of that bamboo blocker for roots pond side wisteria would never reach the pond?

 

yeah the Kiwi that I have is Jenny but I'm not sure it enjoys being potted in a container.