Description
Staphylea – Bladdernut –
There are about 11 deciduous shrubs or small trees in this genus. They are found naturally occurring in woodlands and thickets in the Northern temperate regions. They are grown for their spring borne, bell or cup shaped, white, cream, or pink flowers, borne in terminal cluster, and for their curious bladder-like, 2 or 3 lobed inflated seed pods. The opposite leaves are pinnate or trifoliate with long leaflets which have serrated edges and taper to point and develop warm autumn tone in autumn. Suitable for a shrub border or woodland garden.
Grow in any moist but well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Flowering is best following a long hot summer.
Prone to twig blight and leaf spots.
S. trifolia – Eastern Bladdernut – American Bladdernut – This upright, suckering shrub from Eastern USA, grows 10-15′ feet tall and 6-8′ feet wide. It has smooth, striped bark. It produces trifoliate leaves, each consisting of 3 elliptical, sharply pointed, toothed, dark green leaflets, 2-4″ long, softly hairy beneath. In early spring, bears abundant, bell shaped, ivory flowers, ½” long, in pendent panicles, up to 2″ long, followed by pale green fruit, to 1 ½” long.
Zones 3-8
