An In-Depth Look at Parrotia Persica ‘Vanessa’ Persian Ironwood

Parrotia persica ‘Vanessa’, commonly called Vanessa Persian ironwood or Persian parrotia, is a stunning ornamental tree gaining popularity for its year-round interest and stellar fall color. As a medium-sized, upright deciduous tree that typically reaches 20-40’ tall by 15-30’ wide, it’s an excellent choice for many landscapes. This article provides an in-depth look at ‘Vanessa’ Persian ironwood, covering its key features, growing requirements, and uses in residential and commercial settings.

Overview

Parrotia persica is native to the Alborz mountains of northern Iran. The species was introduced to Europe and North America in the mid-1800s, with the ‘Vanessa’ cultivar emerging later as an improved selection. Compared to the straight species, ‘Vanessa’ Persian ironwood offers faster growth, better urban tolerance, and more vibrant fall color.

This compact, deciduous tree has a narrowly upright, pyramidal form with strong horizontal branching tiers. It exhibits a medium growth rate of 1-2′ per year. Mature dimensions of 20-40’ tall x 15-30’ wide make it well-suited to many landscape uses. ‘Vanessa’ adapts readily to various sites but does best in moist, well-drained, acidic soil and full sun to partial shade.

Ornamental Features

Beyond its excellent habit ‘Vanessa’ parrotia provides multi-season interest

• Winter – Exfoliating bark in patches of cream, gray, green, amber and brown creates a beautiful patchwork pattern on mature trunks and branches.

• Spring – Clusters of tiny but showy deep red flowers bloom as the leaves emerge, each with a bright red center.

• Summer – Glossy green, 4-6” wide oval leaves have a nice serrated edge Foliage contrasts nicely against the patchy bark.

• Fall – Foliage transforms to brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red for several weeks of color. Intensity increases with sun exposure.

Growing Requirements

• Hardiness Zones – Zone 5 to 8

• Sun – Full sun to partial shade

• Soil – Moist, well-drained, acidic soil. Tolerates clay, loam, sand, gravelly or rocky soil.

• pH – Acidic to neutral

• Watering – Moderate watering needs. Requires occasional irrigation during drought.

• Maintenance – Easy care once established. Little pruning needed beyond removing dead branches.

Landscape Uses

Thanks to its compact size, ornamental traits, and urban tolerance, ‘Vanessa’ parrotia has many potential uses:

• Specimen tree – Its year-round beauty makes it perfect for planting alone as a focal point.

• Accent tree – Provides nice contrast against evergreen backdrops.

• Street tree – Adds seasonal interest and fall color to street plantings.

• Parks and public spaces – Provides multi-season appeal in low maintenance plantings.

• Residential landscapes – Fits nicely into yards, positioning it near entries, corners or patios to admire its features.

Buying Vanessa Persian Parrotia Trees

You can buy ‘Vanessa’ Persian ironwood trees from specialty nurseries and online sources. They are sold in containers or balled and burlapped. Be sure to give them adequate space to reach full mature size for maximum impact. Properly sited, this stellar specimen tree will provide lasting beauty and appeal in your landscape.