How To Grow Parrotia Persica (Persian Ironwood)

Parrotia persica, also known as Persian ironwood, is a deciduous tree mainly grown for its spectacular autumn display when its leaves turn shades of yellow, orange, red and purple. It’s a wide-spreading, slow-growing tree with bark that flakes away, creating an interesting texture and revealing younger bark below. Dense heads of red flowers will appear in late-winter and early-spring. The flowers of Parrotia persica do not have petals; instead, buds open to reveal attractive red stamen.

Grow Persian ironwood in full sun or partial shade, in moist but free-draining soil.  It does not require pruning, but it may benefit from a light prune in winter to get rid of dead or damaged branches.

Parrotia persica can be grown in an exposed or sheltered spot, in full sun or partial shade. It is hardy, although frost can damage flower buds in spring.

You can plant Persian ironwood at any time of year. Dig a hole that’s the same depth as the root mass, but twice as wide. Remove the tree from its pot and loosen the roots slightly before planting. Place the tree in the hole and ensure that it sits no deeper than it was sitting in the pot. When you’re happy with its position, fill the hole and firm the soil gently. Water the tree generously, particularly if planting in the summer, and add a stake.

Keep your tree well watered during the first few months after planting, especially in dry periods. Once the tree is established it will require very little care.

Propagate Persian ironwood by taking softwood cuttings in summer, or semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer and early autumn. Both