Staphylea colchica ( Bladdernut, Caucasian Bladdernut)

Botanical Information

FamilyStaphyleaceae
GenusStaphylea
Speciescolchica
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (deciduous)
OriginNative to forests in the southern Caucasus mountains.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone6 - 7
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone7 - 8
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7 - H5
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)(-20) - (-10)
Temperature (°F)(-4) - (14)
Height3 - 4.5 m
Spread3 - 4.5 m
Flowering PeriodMay, June

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionLeaves on flowering stems tend to have 3 leaflets, but all other leaves tend to have 5 leaflets.
LandscapeShrub borders, woodland margins, shade gardens, naturalized areas, and hedges.
PropagationPropagate by seed, cuttings and suckers.
CultivationGrow in evenly moist, rich, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best in part shade. 
PestsLeaf spot and twig blight.
Notable SpecimensCaerhays Castle, Goran, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
HabitatIt is native to forests at elevations up to 1220m in the southern Caucasus mountains.
Leaf DescriptionPinnate compound leaves have 3-5 ovate-oblong, hairless, green leaflets each to 10 cm long with fine serrate margins and glabrous glossy undersides.
Flower DescriptionBell-shaped, five-petaled, greenish-white flowers each to 1.5 cm across; bloom in spring (May-June) in erect to nodding terminal panicles.
Fruit DescriptionA Inflated, baggy, two- lobed to three-lobed fruit (seed pods to 10 cm wide) which are commonly characterized as being "bladder-like" in appearance, hence the common name of bladdernut. Each pod contains several hard rounded seeds. Pods are curiously attractive and remain visible on the shrub in summer and fall.
Texture DescriptionFlowers have a pleasing fragrance which is reminiscent of orange blossoms.

Photographs