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Parrotia persica - Persian Ironwood

About Your New Parrotia persica - Persian Ironwood

Parrotia persica, Persian ironwood, is a deciduous tree with an upright frame and a wide spreading crown. Smooth grey bark flakes away in plates to leave a patchwork of cream, green and fawn. Small crimson flowers with yellow stamens open on bare wood in late winter, ahead of the leaves.

It grows 6 to 10 metres tall and 4 to 8 metres wide, adding about 20 to 40 centimetres a year. Full sun to part shade and a deep, well-drained soil suit it. Cool and cold temperate districts bring the strongest autumn colour, frost is no issue, and established trees take moderate dry spells.

The autumn display of orange, red and purple, followed by the winter bark and flowers, makes it a year-round specimen for a lawn, courtyard, park or street verge. The roots are well behaved and the canopy is not heavy handed. A good choice where a deciduous feature tree has to earn its space.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Persian Ironwood

What is Parrotia persica?

Persian ironwood is a deciduous tree from northern Iran, grown for four seasons of interest. It has an upright trunk with a wide spreading crown, smooth grey bark that flakes to a cream, green and fawn patchwork, crimson flowers in late winter, and a strong orange and red autumn display.

How big does Persian Ironwood grow?

It reaches about 6 to 10 metres tall and 4 to 8 metres wide at maturity, which takes decades. Growth is around 20 to 40 centimetres a year. The crown is broad relative to the height, so plan for the width rather than the height when placing it near a house or boundary.

When does it flower?

Late winter into early spring, roughly July to September, on bare branches before the leaves appear. The flowers are small crimson tufts of stamens without petals, dark red against the pale flaking bark. Individually they are modest, but a mature tree in flower against a winter sky justifies the position.

Is it deciduous, and what is the autumn colour like?

It is deciduous, dropping its leaves through the colder months. Autumn colour is the main event, with the broad ovate leaves turning orange, scarlet and purple, often several colours on the one tree at once. The display is strongest in cool temperate districts where the nights sharpen up in April and May.

How fast does it grow?

Around 20 to 40 centimetres a year, which is moderate to slow. It is not a tree for instant effect, and an advanced specimen is the practical way to get scale early. The slow rate has an upside, since the wood is dense and hard, the branches are strong and the tree is long lived.

Does it have invasive roots?

No. The root system is fibrous and well behaved, and Persian ironwood is not known for lifting paving or damaging drains. It is a reasonable choice near paths, driveways and courtyards, though as with any tree of this size, keep it a sensible distance from house footings and service lines.

How do I prune and care for it?

It needs very little pruning. Remove dead or crossing branches in winter and otherwise leave the natural frame alone, since the spreading habit is part of the appeal. Water deeply through the first few summers, mulch out towards the drip line, and feed in early spring. Established trees take moderate dry spells.

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Uses in my Garden

  • Feature Tree
  • Street Tree
  • Avenue Planting

Parrotia persica - Persian Ironwood works in an:

  • Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
  • Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
  • Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.

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