Parrotia persica (Persian parrotia, ironwood)

Parrotia spp.

Persian ironwood

Hamamelidaceae

Northern Iran, the Caucasus, and eastern China

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Parrotia spp. is a small genus of deciduous trees and large shrubs in the family Hamamelidaceae, with P. persica of Iran and the Caucasus the species usually seen in gardens and P. subaequalis a rarer counterpart from eastern China. Plants reach 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 m) tall, often wider than high, on single or multiple trunks, with smooth gray bark that flakes to leave a mottled patchwork of green, tan, and cream. The alternate leaves are 2 to 5 inches (5 to 13 cm) long, oval with wavy margins, glossy green through summer. In late winter to early spring, before the leaves, small flowers without petals open as tufts of red stamens framed by brown bracts along the bare twigs. A small woody capsule follows. Autumn foliage turns yellow, orange, and red, often several colors on one tree. The genus grows in full sun to part shade on moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil and tolerates clay, heat, and some drought once established. It is slow to moderate in growth and largely free of serious pests. The flaking bark, early flowers, and autumn color give the genus year-round interest in larger gardens.

Native Range

Parrotia persica is native to the Alborz mountains of northern Iran and the eastern Caucasus, where it grows in moist temperate forest, while P. subaequalis occurs in a small area of eastern China. Plants grow on moist, fertile slopes and in valley woodland.

Suggested Uses

Parrotia spp. is grown as a specimen and shade tree in lawns and larger gardens and as a multi-stemmed feature where the bark can be seen. The early flowers, flaking bark, and autumn color extend its season of interest. It is also used in mixed woodland-edge plantings.

How to Identify

Look for a wide deciduous tree or large shrub with smooth gray bark that flakes into a mottled patchwork of green, tan, and cream. The oval leaves have wavy margins and turn yellow, orange, and red in autumn. In late winter, small petalless flowers appear as tufts of red stamens framed by brown bracts on the bare twigs.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 40'

Width/Spread20' - 30'

Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Winter Spring

Flowering occurs in late winter to early spring, often February to March, before the leaves emerge. The flowers lack petals and show as small clusters of red stamens against brown bracts on the bare branches. A small woody capsule develops over summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

glossy green, turning yellow, orange, and red in autumn

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10-20 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Parrotia spp. grows in full sun to part shade on moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil and tolerates clay, summer heat, and short dry spells once established. Full sun brings the strongest autumn color, while shade gives lighter tones. Young trees benefit from even moisture and a mulch over the root zone while they settle. Growth is slow to moderate, and the genus is largely free of serious pests and diseases. Multi-stemmed plants can be grown as large shrubs or trained to a single trunk while young.

Pruning

Little pruning is needed once the framework is set. Lower branches can be removed while the tree is young to lift the canopy and show the flaking bark, or left to keep a shrubby form. Any thinning is done in late spring after flowering.