Parrotia persica Vanessa - Persian Ironwood

Parrotia persica 'Vanessa' is a rather old Dutch horticultural creation, still highly appreciated for its fastigiate habit, which is narrower than that of the usual Persian Ironwood Tree. It has the same deciduous foliage, splendid in autumn, but finds its place more easily in small gardens. This cousin of Witch Hazels can easily replace them in a more alkaline soil: with its autumnal flamboyance mixing yellow, green, orange, purple, and red, it also adds an unusual spring flowering, with clusters of red stamens appearing directly on the bare branches. Finally, in winter, it reveals its bark, nicely exfoliating like that of certain plane trees. Not taking up much space, it is both highly ornamental and easily grown in well-drained soil.

The Persian Ironwood Tree belongs to the family of witch hazels, and is native to Northern Iran and Eastern Caucasus. The cultivar 'Vanessa', introduced in the Netherlands in 1975, distinguishes itself with its narrower, conical canopy, supported by branches that stand upright towards the sky. At maturity, it will reach approximately 6.50m (21ft 4in) in height and 4m (13ft 1in) in width. Its growth is rather slow, but accelerated in fresh and fertile soil, allowing it to gain 30cm (11. in) to over 40cm (15.7in) per year once established.

'Vanessa' has a sturdy and short trunk, sometimes even multiple trunks. The flowers, not fragrant, appear before the leaves directly on the branches. They consist of clusters of dark red stamens, surrounded by brown bracts. Parrotia persica 'Vanessa' truly ignites in autumn, with green, gold, orange, red, and purple all blending together in a single leaf. The summer foliage is a bright green, with undulate-edged leaves that resemble those of a beech or witch hazel. In winter, its bark exfoliates in patches and reveals discreet shades of gray, reddish-brown, and verdigris. Note that the tree is often marcescent.

Parrotia persica 'Vanessa' will naturally find its place as a specimen tree in a small garden, in a mixed hedge, or even in a shrub grove. 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' Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria 'Grace'), Dwarf Winged Spindle (Euonymus alatus 'Compactus'), and tall autumn asters to create a vibrant grove from September to November. Note that the Persian Ironwood Tree's resistance to drought and hardiness allow it to be grown in various conditions.

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 served as the basis for the creation of tools that are sometimes over 2000 years old.