Bladder Nut Bonsai

Diospyros is relatively slow growing and can be cultivated from seed which should first be scratched scarified before sowing.

Bladder nut bonsai. Leaflet undersides are faintly hairy and lighter green. Dark green glossy foliage contrasts beautifully with the smooth blackish grey bark. It attracts birds to the garden and sweetly scented flowers add that something special to the garden. The bladder nut is a popular bonsai subject and it is used increasingly in landscaping its neat form and attractive foliage make it a good choice for city gardens.

Diospyros whyteana also known as the bladdernut swartbas wild coffee or umtenatane is a small african tree of the ebony family. American bladdernuts bark is mainly smooth and a mottled blend of gray tan and white. The attractive bladder nut is an evergreen shrub or small multi stemmed tree which branches low down and forms a dense round to pyramidal crown. The dark green leaves emerge in spring maturing into distinctly three leaflet leaves.

Diospyros whyteana has beautiful dark green glossy foliage that looks very good on a bonsai. The shape of the tree and the colour of the leaves are reminiscent of a holly tree. The bladdernut makes an attractive container plant for the patio and is also a good species for bonsai. It grows happily in the shade and in containers and is excellent as a clipped hedge.

Fresh seed germinates readily in four to eight weeks. Bladder nut and bluebush diospyros whyteana and d. It can attain a height of up to 6 m. Bearing dark green strikingly glossy leaves and creamy fragrant flowers it is increasingly cultivated in southern african gardens as an attractive and strong ornamental tree.