Staphylea Bumalda

Japanese bladdernut is a graceful deciduous shrub or small tree with leaves divided into three finely toothed leaflets. In spring, pendent clusters of creamy white, bell-shaped flowers hang beneath the fresh foliage and are followed by inflated papery fruits that mature from green to pale brown. The bladder-like pods rattle softly when dry and give the genus its common name. Native across parts of East Asia, Staphylea bumalda brings refined woodland character to sun or partial shade and is particularly effective where its flowers and curious fruits can be viewed closely.