Staphylea holocarpa 'Innocence'

RHS Plant Profile
Chinese bladdernut 'Innocence'
Chinese bladdernut 'Innocence' visionspictures.com
Shrubs Trees

An upright, deciduous shrub or spreading tree to 8m tall, with leaves divided into 3 lance-shaped leaflets. In mid-and late spring, before the leaves emerge, it bears pendent clusters of bell-shaped, 1.5cm long white flowers with a pink tint. These later develop into bladder-like, green seed pods which turn pink and red in autumn. Grow in a shrub border or woodland garden

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Staphyleaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Staphylea are deciduous shrubs or small trees producing hanging clusters of bell- or cup-shaped, white, cream or pink flowers, followed by bladder-like, two- or three-lobed fruit
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn. Take greenwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer, both with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

See pruning group 1 or 2

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free