Staphylea trifolia (American Bladdernut)

Staphylea trifolia (American Bladdernut) is a large, upright-spreading, deciduous shrub or small tree boasting drooping clusters of creamy-white, bell-shaped flowers in mid to late spring. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects enjoy the nectar from the daintily pretty flowers. The blossoms give way to interesting egg-shaped, papery seed capsules, 1-2 in. long (2-5 cm), which mature in late summer and often persist into early winter. Resembling Japanese lanterns, they change from green in the summer to light brown during the fall and are quite conspicuous. They can be used in dried flower arrangements. The finely serrated, trifoliate, dark green leaves, 3-6 in. long (7-15 cm), turn golden-yellow in fall, before falling to the ground, revealing the smooth, striated, greenish gray bark, adorned with vertical white fissures. American Bladdernut is a fast-growing, suckering shrub that forms dense colonies in the wild. A wonderful, trouble-free shrub that is perfect at the edge of natural, moist woodland settings.

• Grows up to 10-15 ft. tall (3-5 m) and 10-20 ft. wide (3-6 m).
• Performs best in part shade to full shade in dry to medium, well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide variety of soils including clay soils, dry soils, wet soils, alkaline soils or rocky soils. Drought tolerant once established.
• Great for native plant gardens, naturalized areas, shade gardens, or woodland areas.
• This plant enjoys excellent resistance to pests and diseases.
• Prune immediately after flowering. Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings.
• Propagate by seed, softwood cuttings and hardwood cuttings.
• Native to eastern North America.