Wisteria makes a massive and heavy vine. I've seen it destroy an abandoned house in upstate NY, working its way under the siding an into the building. I wouldn't plant one if you paid me to and certainly not near a house. I believe the Asian ones are more vigorous and larger than native ones, but I still wouldn't plant any of them near a building.

I love wisteria but you need to consider it an addition to your house. You have to build serious structures to support it as though it is another room in your home! It can damage your exterior finishes, crawl under siding, gut your gutters. Determine what specific species it is and learn about its growth rate. Then decide if you really want this beast.

My grandparents had an incredible wisteria vine trained across the front of their home. They had a solid pergola extending the length of their home, and a landscape company tended to it monthly.

Thanks so much for the information. I had no idea!!!! 😳
I’ll reconsider the placement. But I’d sure love to keep it where it’s at if at all possible. I’ll try and figure out the species and look at stronger trellis ideas (not the lightweight ones I’ve already looked at).
Thanks again for the very helpful information.

A trellis isn't going to do it. The vine will destroy it in no time. It needs a structure like an arbor or pergola and, as others have said, not near the house. You are taking on a major project here.

The wisteria will also destroy your downspout. Sorry, but as lovely as it is in flower, I would definitely move it. In fact, I personally would get rid of it altogether even though it was a gift. If you plant it in the ground, be sure it is away from other shrubs or you will be pulling tendrils forever. I had one that I removed 15 years ago. Sprouts still come up.

If you do keep it, be sure you have very strong support and expect to have to replace the support at some point if you let the wisteria grow large. We have some coming up from a formally wooded area that is already pulling apart a fence at the back of our property.

Best of luck to you. :-)

Ya’ll convinced me. How about keeping it in a large pot and routinely prune?

Hi. I've also lived with wistaria and it really does take over. If you have the room in your yard (and are willing to make a major time/$ commitment), consider something like this...

Mediterranean patio and Wisteria pergola · More Info

Pergola covered deck. · More Info

It would need to be a quite large pot. They can be trained in tree form but it would require constant pruning. It wants to GROW.