Staphylea colchica
Colchis bladdernut
- Height × spread
- 4m × 3.5m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Spring, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This makes a vigorous shrub with an erect habit. It holds its leaves in groups on shoots. The leaves are elegant, ovate with long pointed tips. They are generally held in fives but, if the shoot is to hold a flower, there will be only three! The white flowers come in small racemes and are produced in May. They have a curious sweetish fragrance which one authority describes as the scent of rice pudding. These are followed by the fruits that are held in little bladder-like capsules. This reaches around 4m (13ft) height with 3.5m (11ft) spread.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Green, Grey
- Fruit colour
- Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, rice pudding
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 4m
- Spread
- 3.5m
- Height in 10 years
- 2m
- Spread in 10 years
- 1.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Scented garden
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Structural, Bee attraction
- Walls
- South, West facing
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.