Staphylea colchica 'Black Beauty'

An upright, fast-growing deciduous shrub to around 3m in height, with glossy, chocolate-purple serrated foliage which turns to orange in the autumn. Lightly fragrant clusters of bell-shaped flowers appear in mid to late spring, followed by greenish-white swollen fruits, similar to pistachio, which turn brown as they ripen and remain on the shrub until the winter. Great in a border, as a hedge or in a wildlife garden where it will be appreciated by pollinators. Flowers are sometimes preserved in vinegar and have a caper-like taste. The kernels of the fruit can be roasted and have a pistachio or almond-like flavour