Parrotia persica Persian Spire - Persian Ironwood

The Parrotia persica Persian Spire is a new variety of American Ironwood tree that is quite unusual, both for its narrow habit and reduced size, as well as for its remarkably colourful foliage from spring to autumn. This deciduous small tree develops purple foliage when it buds, turning to a brightly green colour with wide violet margins in summer before flaming yellow, orange, and red in autumn. It also surprises in spring with its flowering in clusters of red stamens that appear directly on the bare branches. Finally, in winter, it reveals its beautifully exfoliating bark, similar to that of some plane trees. Compact, highly ornamental, and easy to grow, it will find its place in all gardens, even small ones. It also adapts very well to container cultivation.

The Ironwood tree belongs to the Hamamelidaceae family and is native to northern Iran and eastern Caucasus. The recently obtained cultivar Persian Spire, bronze medalist at Plantarium in 2015, distinguishes itself by its distinctly fastigiate habit, even slower growth, and foliage colouration. At the age of 10, it will not exceed 2.5 meters in height and 75 centimeters (30 inches) in width. At maturity, it will reach approximately 7 meters (23 feet) in height and around 3 meters (10 feet) in spread.

Its branches show a rather vertical development, forming a narrow and closed crown. It has a stout trunk, sometimes even multiple trunks. The flowers appear before the leaves directly on the twigs. They consist of clusters of dark red stamens surrounded by brown bracts. The Parrotia persica Persian Spire displays young shoots that are purple in colour. The lamina develops by marginating itself with purple on a light green background. In summer, the purple margin takes on a rather surprising violet hue. Then the foliage truly ignites in autumn, with green, gold, orange, red, and purple blending together in a single leaf. The undulate-edged leaves, more or less lozenge-shaped, are thick, strongly veined, and resemble those of the beech tree. In winter, its bark exfoliates in plates and reveals discreet shades of gray, reddish-brown, and verdigris. Note that the tree is often marcescent.

The Parrotia persica Persian Spire will naturally find its place as a standalone specimen in a small garden, or even in a large container on the terrace. For example, associate it with heathers, camellias, Leucothoe, and pieris in acidic soil. In neutral or alkaline, well-drained soil, pair it with the 'Grace' smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria 'Grace'), the dwarf winged spindle tree (Euonymus alatus 'Compactus'), and tall autumn asters to create a vibrant grove from September to November. Note that the Ironwood tree's drought resistance and hardiness allow it to be grown in many situations.

The Parrotia persica was introduced to Europe in 1841. Its vernacular name, Ironwood tree, is inspired by its exceptionally hard wood, which is difficult to work with. It has served as a base for the creation of tools that are sometimes over 2000 years old.