Parrotia persica
Persian parrotia, Persian ironwood
Notes:
Upright when young, spreading and rounded with age, with considerable seedling variability. Stoecklein and Dirr/Warren claim moderate growth rate, contrary to Sunset/UFL/UConn who say slow.
Fall color is best in sites with hot summers and cold winters, as per Glyn Church in the Woody Plant series.
P. subaequalis, Chinese parrotia, is more vigorous (reported 14' in 5 yrs.) and cold hardy, with exceptional fall color (even in high shade, even in bad years) and similarly showy bark. However, it is a more recent introduction, much rarer in commerce, and only one of my sources treats it.
Sources: UFL, Sunset, Stoecklein, Missouri BG, UConn, Dirr/Warren.
Tags:
acidic soil preferred
bark injury sensitive
branches strong
clay tolerant
drought tolerant
exposure:full sun
exposure:part shade
fall color notable
form:multi-trunked
form:shrub
form:trainable to single trunk
form:tree
full sun preferred
habit:oval
habit:rounded
habit:spreading/wide
habit:upright
litter:minimal
persistence:deciduous
pest/disease free
PHS Gold Medal Award
pollution tolerant
pruning not required
roots:low damage potential
showy bark
showy flowers
type:broadleaf
use:container
use:deck/patio
use:foundation
use:shade tree
use:specimen
use:street
water:moderate to little
water:regular
well-drained soil required
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