Staphylea pinnata

Staphylea pinnata, also known as False Pistachio due to its seeds traditionally consumed like pistachios, is a small tree. It may not be spectacular, but it is perfectly adapted to cold climates and heavy, chalky soils. This deciduous shrub can thrive on its own once established, producing clusters of small, bell-shaped, white-cream, fragrant flowers every spring. The flowers are followed by swollen fruits that are as curious as they are decorative, containing green, fatty almonds with a sweet and slightly bitter taste. Just like hazelnuts, medlars, and elderberries, it has its rightful place in a countryside hedge, a large wild grove, or a garden that makes room for nature.

The false pistachio belongs to the Staphyleaceae family, which consists of only 11 species in the Staphylea genus. All these shrubs are native to the moist understory of the temperate northern hemisphere. This one, also known as Cut Nose because of its truncated fruits, is native to central and eastern Europe and western Asia. 

Its growth is rapid, reaching about 4 m (13.1 ft) in all directions in a few years, forming a small, bushy, and rounded tree. In May-June, it bears clusters of pendulous bell-shaped flowers at the tips of its branches, with a subtle scent of coconut. The flowering will be more abundant after a hot summer. These campanulate corollas, measuring 9 mm to 12 mm (0.4 in to 0.5 in) long, are composed of 5 pale-yellow to white petals. They are followed by the formation of membranous, inflated capsule-like fruits, measuring about 3 cm to 4 cm (1.2 in to 1.6 in) in all directions. Each capsule contains an oily, pistachio-green edible seed that can be roasted or used to make liqueur. When the fruit is ripe, in September-October, the capsule splits open with a curious clicking sound. The deciduous foliage consists of opposite leaves, divided into 5 to 7 ovate to lanceolate leaflets, finely toothed along the edges, measuring 7 cm to 10 cm (2.8 in to 3.9 in) long. They have a fairly dark green colour, slightly satin-like.

Staphylea pinnata is perfectly hardy and tolerant of any type of soil as long as it remains moist. Its wild shrub-like appearance makes it more suitable for countryside settings and natural areas of the garden. In a free hedge, it can be grown with, for example, rowans, hazelnuts, medlars, hawthorns, elderberries, or even field maples with their beautiful autumn colours. To further enhance this ensemble, add some white spireas (arguta, Van Houttei), lilacs, mock oranges, botanical roses (Rosa hugonis, complicata, moyesii, pteracantha), and viburnums (lantana, carlesii, rhytidophyllum), or a Caragana arborescens. These are equally robust and easy-to-grow shrubs.