Staphylea colchica (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to dappled shade
Flowering period: Spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 3.5m
Eventual Spread: 3m
Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Family: Staphyleaceae
Staphylea colchica is a deciduous shrub with an upright habit. Its mid to dark green leaves are pinnate with up to 5 leaflets. Its leaflets are ovate to elliptic with fine serrulate margins, up to 10cm long and 4cm broad. Its fragrant white flowers are bell shape, up to 2cm long and appear as erect panicles which are up to 12cm long. Its green/ white fruit are bladder like and up to 10cm long. Its roots produce suckers which aids its spread.
Staphylea colchica Flower (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Staphylea colchica, commonly known as Colchis Bladdernut or Caucasian bladdernut, is native to western Georgia. In its native habitat it grows within and at the edges of deciduous forests.
The etymological root of the binomial name Staphylea is derived from the Greek staphyle meaning ‘cluster’ in reference to its flowers. Colchica is derived from the name of the Georgian kingdom of Colchis.
The landscape architect may find Staphylea colchica useful as a fragrant flowering shrub which tolerated dappled shade.
Staphylea colchica Leaf (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Staphylea colchica flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
Staphylea colchica prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes dry soils.
Staphylea colchica requires little maintenance.
