Parrotia persica Seeds | Persian Parrotia
LATIN NAME: Parrotia persica
COMMON NAME: Persian Parrotia
Plant Profile
Persian Parrotia (Parrotia persica) is a deciduous shrub, native to warm forests of the northern iran and surrounding region, while it is grown as a treasured ornamental tree. In witch hazel family it is autumn-flame tree of warm forests, a species whose leaves turn the most brilliant shades of orange, red and gold before they fall. Given room and time, it reaches roughly Fifteen metres. During flowering it gives bees and other insects a dependable food source. Together these qualities explain its long-standing appeal to gardeners.
Science & Biotechnology
Seed science, comparative botany and horticultural selection all touch on Parrotia persica, a representative of the Parrotia group with clear practical value. The Persian parrotia holds a place of honour in horticultural papers of autumn trees, and brilliant colours of its wavy-margined leaves have kept growers and colour chemists interested for years. From a research perspective, species of this kind are valuable material for work on propagation and on the selection of uniform lines.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Persian Parrotia earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. In autumn garden, the Persian parrotia is flame-coloured tree of the season. Its red, tassel-like flowers of late winter are an early source of nectar, wavy-margined leaves turn to orange, red and gold in autumn, and peeling, patchy bark gives tree a fine, year-round presence. It grows well in moist, well-drained ground of sunny, sheltered spot. Given the right start, it carries on with minimal intervention.
A tree like this repays patience for decades: it cools and shelters its surroundings, hosts birds and insects, and stores carbon in timber that outlives its planter.
Growing from Seed
Starting Persian Parrotia from seed is simple and satisfying. Sow the seed evenly over the surface and cover lightly, using a loose, well-drained seed compost, and keep it just moist in bright light until the seedlings are well up. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.
Our Take
Persian Parrotia repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Persian Parrotia often pair it with these related subjects: