Species European bladdernut
yellow fruits, lime-green leaves with green stems

European bladdernut

Staphylea pinnata

European bladdernut is a deciduous shrub native to Eurasia. It is a member of the Oleaceae or olive family and is closely related to the genus Staphylea. It has an upright form with a rounded crown. The leaves are oval and becoming gradually pointed at the end. The flowers grow on racemes and are small, white and five-petalled. Bladdernuts fruit is a three-lobed capsule. Once mature, they will transform the dark brown legume to reveal the three seeds within. The seeds are edible, but the legume itself is slightly poisonous. Despite this, it's hardy nature and attractive features make it an excellent addition to any garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Division

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 8

Flowers:

White Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Fruits:

green,yellow,brown Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

European bladdernut (Staphylea pinnata) is a medium-sized deciduous shrub typically found in moist soil conditions, so it requires consistently moist soil to perform its best. It should be watered about once a week during warm summer months, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. In winter months, this plant needs much less water; it can go weeks without water once the soil has frozen. If temperatures remain generally above freezing during winter, it should be watered only when the soil is noticeably dry. In times of drought, this plant may appreciate a bit of water to help it through dry periods.

sunlight

European Bladdernut (Staphylea pinnata) prefers full sun or partial shade conditions. In full sun, it needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day in order to reach its full potential. Partial shade is also acceptable, though in this situation the plant may need a bit less sunlight (3-6 hours). It is important to note that in very hot climates it is best to provide some afternoon shade to relieve the intensity of direct sunlight. In cooler climates, however, European Bladdernut does best with full sun exposure.

pruning

European bladdernut (Staphylea pinnata) is typically pruned after flowering in the late spring or early summer. Pruning for European bladdernut should involve removing any dead, broken, diseased or damaged branches, and also any crossing or rubbing branches. It is also a good idea to thin out the interior of the tree and open up the canopy to allow for better air circulation. European bladdernut can tolerate hard pruning, so it is okay to prune back heavily if needed. If you are looking to keep a more natural form, then prune lightly. Try to maintain the desired shape by removing less than 1-third of the canopy and pruning back any branches that are not in keeping with the shape you are trying to achieve.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Staphylea pinnata typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Staphylea pinnata typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Staphylea pinnata typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map