Parrotia persica 'VANESSA' Persian ironwood

We have another lovely tree for you who have small gardens but love large trees. This is a compact version of Persian ironwood called Vanessa. .

Deciduous leaves of this rather columnar, tall shrub are smooth and slightly glossy, with prominent veins, light green when they emerge and fresh green until the autumn when they change to very attractive shades of red, orange and yellow.

Unlike its parent Vanessa remains slender and compact. While the species can get twice as wide as tall this beauty looks as if on a strict diet. Perhaps that was a reason why it was given a name of a supermodel.

Ironwood likes fertile and deep soil, moist but well-drained. For best colouring grow it in acidic soil. It is maintenance free. No pruning necessary, if you need to cut or trim it do so before leaves in early spring. Fully hardy to approx. -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 09-10-2008.