Parrotia Tree

The Parrotia Tree is a really unusual pretty tree grown for its flowers and autumn colour. Small delicate bright red flowers in late winter or early spring. Parrotia persica has grey flaking bark and large deep green leaves turning crimson-gold in autumn. 

Parrotia persica or Persian Irownwood trees are small deciduous trees of spreading habit and suitable for most gardens. The bark on the older trees delightfully flakes, like that of our lovely London Plane trees. Large oval green leaves turn crimson and gold in autumn. The flowers which consist of clusters of crimson stamens are born on bare branches in late winter and early spring. Buds can be damaged by a hard frost.

Fully hardy, Parrotia requires full sun and likes fertile, moist but well-drained soil. It is lime-tolerant, and will even grow on chalk but usually colours best in acid soil. No special care is required but they will benefit from weed, mulch, and compost in spring.