Plant Profiles: Snowdrop Bush & Sierra Bladdernut

by MaryAnn McCraryPosted onGardening
Snowdrop bush. MA McCrary.
Snowdrop bush, Styrax redivivus, growing under black oak canopy. Photo taken April 3, 2022, by MaryAnn McCrary.

Two uncommon foothill shrubs will be offered at our Spring 2022 Native Plant Sale: snowdrop bush and Sierra bladdernut. Both have pendant white flowers, bloom at about the same time in spring, and grow in the shade of much taller black oak or blue oak. Despite these similarities, they are not related to each other. They each are the only member of their plant family in California.

Sierra bladdernut. MA McCrary.
Sierra bladdernut, Staphylea bolanderi, on April 3, 2022, under black oak canopy near Lake Shasta. The flowers contrast with a seed pod from last year. Photo by MaryAnn McCrary.

Snowdrop bush is recognized for its lovely, lightly scented flowers and is offered in many native plant nurseries in larger cities. Sierra bladdernut is not known to be for sale in any native plant nursery. Shasta Chapter CNPS is offering both of these unusual shrubs, grown from local seed sources.

Sierra bladdernut fruit. MA McCrary.
Sierra bladdernut, Staphylea bolanderi, has unusual papery fruits in May, as well as unusual flowers in April. Photo taken May 7, 2021, by MaryAnn McCrary.

Enjoy our selection of native shrubs, perennial herbs, vines, and grasses prior to the in-person sale, this Friday and Saturday, April 8 & 9, by perusing our Plant Availability List. ~MaryAnn McCrary