Parrotia persica has one of the most beautiful foliage displays, in addition to year-round eye appeal and ease of maintenance. Reddish-purple when unfolding in spring, the leaves are a lustrous dark green in summer and yellow to orange or scarlet in fall. Leaves hold their color for a long period. Older branches and trunks develop an exfoliating gray, green, white, and brown color that is a welcome asset in the winter garden. It grows successfully in Zones 4 to 8, tolerates sun and partial shade, and is easy to transplant. Often, vegetatively propagated forms offer more reliable fall color.
Noteworthy CharacteristicsEasy to grow. Nice foliage spring through fall, often with great color in the autumn. Bark exfoliates with age. Tiny red flowers in winter.
CareFor best autumn color, grow in acidic soil. It also needs deep, fertile, moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Prune minimally—simply remove crossing branches or those that are growing in an unattractive direction.
PropagationSow seed in a cold frame in the autumn; take greenwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in mid and late summer.
ProblemsInfrequent
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- Genus : Parrotia
- Plant Height : 15 to 30 feet
- Plant Width : 15 to 30 feet
- Zones : 4, 5, 6, 7
- Bloom Time : Early Spring
- Light : Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Characteristics : Interesting Bark, Showy Fall Foliage, Showy Foliage
- Moisture : Medium Moisture
- Growth Rate : Moderate
- Maintenance : Moderate
- Flower Color : Red
- Plant Seasonal Interest : Spring Interest
- Plant Type : Trees
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