Family: Staphyleaceae
Common Name: Bladder Nut

There are about ten species of hardy, deciduous shrubs in this genus from temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. They have attractive leaves, terminal sprays of white flowers, and produce unusual, inflated fruit.

Species

S. holocarpa, from China, is a shrub or tree, 7-8 m (23-26 ft) tall, the rose to white flowers developing before the leaves. Cultivar 'Rosea' has pink flowers and the young foliage is attractively flushed with bronze.

S. pinnata, European bladder nut, grows to 5 m (16 it). The white flowers are borne in nodding sprays about 10 cm (4 in) long.

Cultivation

Bladder nuts do well in moist, loamy soil in a sunny or partially shaded situation. It they are watered moderately when young and increasingly during growth, these shrubs will flower sooner. Prune immediately after flowering by cutting back old tlowered shoots to younger shoots or buds lower down. Propagate from seed sown in a garden frame in autumn, or from semi-ripe cuttings in summer, rooting them in a heated propagating case. Alternatively, carry out layering in spring.

Climate

Zone 6.