Staphylea pinnata - Shrub - European Bladdernut Page

Staphylea pinnata, also known as the European bladdernut, is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 6 meters tall. Blooming from May to June, the plant produces small white, bell-shaped, fragrant flowers on panicles up to 13 cm long. These flowers are bisexual and pollinated by flies. The fruits are inflated papery capsules, 2-3 lobed, up to 4 cm tall, ripening from September to November. Not only is this plant visually stunning with its pinnate leaves, it is said to produce edible seeds that taste like pistachios. Staphylea pinnata can be grown in full sun to partial shade, and tolerates a variety of soils. It is hardy in zones 6-8 and requires regular watering. If you plan on growing this shrub, we recommend sowing stored seeds as early in the year as possible and giving them cold stratification – germination may not occur until the following spring.