Parrozia

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Hamamelidaceae or Witch Hazel

Order

Saxifragales

Genus

Parrotia

Species

perch

Description

Polyennial deciduous tree with an upright habit. Appreciated during the warmer seasons for its dense, shady foliage, which becomes a focal point of high landscape value when, during the autumn foliage, it takes on hues in a wide colour range from yellow-red to scarlet to purplish. The blossoming on bare branches in early spring with small crimson-red flowers is also special. Suitable for different soil conditions, as long as they are well drained, it expresses good ecological resistance even in urban areas.

Variety description

Tree much loved by botanists and experienced landscapers. Medium-sized plant (up to 15 m) with a very elegant and refined habit, compact foliage and a discreet, early red spring flowering. Intense green leaves in spring that turn yellow and then orange-red in autumn. Its elegance lies in the shape and colouration of the foliage, also three-coloured. Excellent adaptability to various soil types and growing environments, including urban. Requires a sunny location; develops a medium-deep root system with many secondary roots; prefers clay and sandy soils, but grows well in all soil types. Tree for ornamental and landscape use, particularly isolated; suitable for park areas, urban avenues, gardens. Suitable for green roofs. Resistant to pathogens and not very demanding of pruning, which must be oriented towards maintaining the shape while respecting the architecture of the foliage. It presents c

Curiosities and special features

The term Parrotia was given in honour of the botanist F. W. Parrott who first discovered it while the specific epithet, persica, refers to its geographical origin.

Also commonly referred to as Persian Ironwood in reference to its hard iron-like texture.

Origin and distribution

An autochthonous native species of southern Azerbaijan and northern Iran; it was discovered by the German botanist F. W. Parrott during a scientific exploration on Mount Ararat in 1829.

Leaf

The leaves have an oval lamina with a wavy margin.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts from early spring to late spring for 10 to 20 days, displaying small crimson red hermaphrodite flowers.

Leaf colour

Unicolour hue that gradually mutates during the autumn period to yellow, orange and purplish-red shades.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 5 to 15 m representing a second size tree.

Lifespan

Polyennial deciduous tree.

Where to plant

Due to the elegance of its plant architecture, it is suitable for use in open fields.

Stem

The stem is woody and branched at the base, with variegated bark that tends to form scales in adult specimens.

Growth

The parrotia shows compact growth with dense, rounded foliage.

Plant habit

Tree with an erect habitus.

Branching

The branching percentage is average with branches often branching out even from the base of the stem, lending elegance to the architecture of the entire plant; the variety has no thorns.

PH

The optimal soil pH for Parrotia varies from slightly acidic to neutral, in the optimal range of 6.0 to 7.0. Also pay attention to the irrigation water, preferably sub-acidic so as not to alter the optimal soil acidity level.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting at the end of autumn, choose the most suitable location, in relation to the plant's needs, and use a spade to make the planting hole at least one third the size of the root or root ball volume, removing any weeds and bulky pebbles. Add organic matter and apply organic or chemical granular fertiliser for a background fertilisation to ensure the nutrients the plant needs in the early post-transplant phases.

Sun exposure

For better vegetative growth, which is also important to guarantee greater resistance to pathogens and climatic adversities, at the transplanting stage choose positions in half shade, full sun, guaranteeing suitable watering without stagnation and proportionate to the climatic situation.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 5 and 35 °C.

Use

Due to the sinuosity and elegance of its bearing as well as the colour nuances that its foliage takes on over the course of the seasons, it is an appreciated tree in different areas of greenery such as

Outdoor ornamental Outdoor Landscape Design Landscaping

Hardiness

Rusticity is high, adding value to the species.

Soil

It adapts to different soil conditions, but the ideal growing medium is medium-textured as well as well-drained and with organic matter.

Difficulty

The cultivation of Parrotia is easy, with an overall average level of management effort.

Growing tips

Some tips and specific cultivation aspects to ensure balanced growth and a healthy plant:

Prefers cool climate Requires abundant regular fertilisation Requires abundant but not stagnant watering Correct pruning

As far as pruning is concerned, it should be remembered that indiscriminate cutting of stems and branches by 'pruning' not only alters the natural habitus of the plant, but also leads to a lower resistance to biotic and abiotic agents as well as a greater danger of decay of the entire specimen.

Planting

For transplanting, adopt an average density of 250 plants/ha, choosing healthy specimens, free from abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Always identify the planting site in advance in relation to the growth conditions required by the species according to the principle of 'the right plant in the right place'.

It is advisable to prune, using clean and sharp blades, the long and thin filaments of the roots in order to stimulate the emission of new ones, thus obtaining a well-developed root system, with new capillary roots that are very efficient and a morphological vegetative balance of the plant; limit the pruning of the foliage to the low branching in order to raise the branch stage and form a tree with a medium-high foliage. Then place the root ball in the previously dug planting hole, keeping the plant's collar off the soil surface and watering immediately after planting.

Pruning

Carry out training pruning during the winter period in order to shape the shape of the foliage and determine its structure as well as adjust the scaffolding of the branches.

Propagation

Multiplication can be by seed, cuttings or grafting.

Watering

When transplanting, assist the plant to allow it to develop its root system in the best possible way in the new site by keeping it at a constant humidity free of water stagnation and dryness. Afterwards, prevent water saturation conditions and give quantities with frequencies and doses also commensurate with the climatic trend during the different seasons.

Fertilising

When preparing the soil for transplanting, carry out a suitable background fertilisation with organic or balanced chemical slow-release fertiliser specifically for ornamental plants. For a correct development of the root system and therefore a good rooting of the plant, it is necessary to remember that the roots will generally develop beyond the projection of the foliage, which is very useful information for planning subsequent watering and fertilisation.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible Species.

Tip

It is recommended not to fertilise during and after the summer and to limit watering in order to have an orange-red colour change of the leaves.