Parrotia persica 'Vanessa' (Persian ironwood)

One of my favourite trees for autumn colour, Parrotia persica 'Vanessa' is an unusual small tree with green leaves in spring and summer which turn a glorious plum purple, red and orange in the autumn time before falling. The bark on an established trees tends to flake over time, leaving a very attractive patchwork of steely grey and white.

In our experience this selection of Parrotia persica tends to grow with a more upright habit initially, although it can eventually spread later once once established.

As well as giving a display of vivid autumn colour, it is also very long lasting with the Parrotia persica 'Vanessa' in our arboretum starting to turn in September with the finally leaves falling usually in mid to late November (if we have decent autumn weather).

Parrotia persica is a close relative of the witch hazel and as such has a display of small, spidery, red flowers in late winter or early spring before the leaves emerge.

The Persian ironwood is an excellent choice of branching tree, enjoying moist or well drained soils and notably tough and drought tolerant once established.