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Staphylea colchica

ivory-flowered bladdernut

An upright, deciduous shrub, with glossy leaves of three or five leaflets. In late spring it bears small, white, fragrant, bell-shaped flowers in hanging clusters up to 12cm long. They are followed by large, greenish-white, inflated fruit

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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Green
Summer Green Green
Autumn Green Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Staphyleaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Staphylea are deciduous shrubs or small trees producing hanging clusters of bell- or cup-shaped, white, cream or pink flowers, followed by bladder-like, two- or three-lobed fruit

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Caucasus

How to grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in any moist, well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn, or by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer, both with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 1 or pruning group 2

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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