Parrotia persica 'Vanessa'
(Persian Ironwood 'Vanessa')
Family - Hamamelidaceae
Category - Tree
Origin - Raised in The Netherlands
Year of Introduction - 1975
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H6
Height - up to 8m
Width - up to 4m
Location - The Grounds, The Stream Area
Description: A small Deciduous tree with upright, spreading branches. Once mature the tree will have a columnar outline and attractive grey, flaking bark. Glossy mid to dark green leaves are obovate to oblong in shape with coarsely toothed margins. The leaves are tinted deep red around the margins when young. Small reddish-pink, Apetalous flowers are held in dense clusters and produced along the branches from late winter into early spring before the leaves emerge. The foliage turns brilliant shades of red, burgundy, orange and yellow in autumn before falling.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Additional common name - Iron Tree 'Vanessa'
Flower:
Small apetalous flowers have prominent reddish-pink anthers and are held in dense clusters. The clusters are produced along the branches in February and March before the leaves emerge.
Flower colour: Reddish-pink
Flower shape: Apetalous flowers held in clusters
Flowering time: February, March
Foliage:
Obovate to oblong leaves have Dentate margins. The glossy leaves are mid to dark green and tinted deep red around the margins when young. The leaves are Alternately arranged on the upright, spreading branches and turn vivid shades of orange, yellow, crimson and burgundy before falling in autumn.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Obovate to oblong
Autumn Colour: Red, burgundy, yellow, orange
Propagation:
Cuttings, grafting.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained.