Why Plant Persian Parrotia?
A connoisseur tree for first-time tree stewards! You may not be familiar with Persian Parrotia, but avid gardeners know it well and love it for its many charms. This elegant ornamental stands out for its stellar fall foliage. No two trees are alike. Some turn a glowing butterscotch yellow, some are more orange, and some become a crazy quilt of purple, red, orange, gold, and hot pink. Interesting red flowers in late winter and exfoliating patchwork bark add to Parrotia’s appeal. The funny thing is, there’s no reason for this unique tree to be rare—it’s a cinch to grow. Give it a try!
You might assume that Parrotia was given its name because its fall foliage can be as colorful as a parrot’s feathers. However, that’s not the case. The tree was discovered in northern Iran (the only place it grows in the wild) in 1840 by a Russian botanist named Karl Anton von Meyer. Meyer named it in honor of a fellow explorer and college classmate, Johann Jacob Friedrich Wilhelm Parrot. Friedrich “Fritz” Parrot was best known for being the first Westerner to ascend Mt. Ararat in Turkey. Mt. Ararat is where Noah’s Ark supposedly came to rest. Parrot found no evidence of the ark, but thought perhaps it was hidden under the thick ice.
How to use Persian Parrotia in the landscape?
Persian Parrotia is often described as a small tree, but it actually has the potential to get quite large. Under ideal conditions, it can reach more than 60 feet tall and wide. Give it room to grow. Parrotia is also considered a slow grower, but it can be a moderately fast-growing tree with proper irrigation and fertilizer, at least in its younger years.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-8
How To Plant Persian Parrotia
Siting your Persian Parrotia in full sun will encourage the brightest colors in its fall foliage, but this tree will grow happily in part shade as well. Plant it in any soil with decent drainage. Regular irrigation is important during the first year or two of establishment; our Elements™ Watering System will help you deliver the right amount of moisture. Feed with Elements™ Fertilizer for optimum growth. Persian Parrotia tends to be naturally low-branched, but we have trained it into a tree form at the nursery. Be sure to promptly prune off suckers that appear from the base or trunk if you wish to maintain this form.
How To Water
Persian Parrotia will appreciate watering deeply, and regularly during its first few years in the ground. Irrigate weekly, and especially during long dry spells or extreme heat after it’s established.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant food granular form on an annual basis each late fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
