Why Plant Vanessa Persian Parrotia?
Fall foliage fiesta! If you’re a fall color fanatic, then Vanessa Persian Parrotia is the tree for you. This uncommon ornamental tree will put on quite a show for you, turning rosy red, orange, gold, and sometimes purple over a long period. The leaves are striking in spring, too, emerging lime-green with a decorative maroon margin. Vanessa is a columnar selection that’s easier to integrate into smaller landscapes than the typical Parrotia. We grow Vanessa as a single-trunked tree. You can use it as a leafy seasonal privacy screen, or “limb up” the branches to expose more of the bark, which exfoliates in charming patchwork patterns with age.
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. It was named after Johann Jacob Friedrich Wilhelm Parrot, an explorer in the region where Persian Parrotia was discovered (northern Iran). Even though Parrotia is a fantastic tree, it has remained rather obscure, and few introductions have been made. Vanessa is one of those few special selections, made in the Netherlands in 1975. It was named after the Painted Lady butterfly, whose scientific name is Vanessa cardui.
How to use Vanessa Persian Parrotia in the landscape?
Vanessa Persian Parrotia is somewhat of a connoisseur tree, but there’s no reason for such a marvelous tree to be such a well-kept secret! It’s easy to grow and should be planted more often. In fact, it’s so tough that the Society of Municipal Arborists voted it their 2014 Urban Tree of the Year.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 5-8
How To Plant Vanessa Persian Parrotia
Siting your Vanessa 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. Remove any suckers that may appear at the base of the plant. Pests and diseases rarely affect Vanessa Persian Parrotia, although Japanese beetles can occasionally be a problem where populations are intense.
How To Water
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! This tree is tolerant of moist locations and once it is established, it is drought tolerant.
How To Fertilize
Fertilize your Vanessa Persian Parrotia in early spring with the Bower & Branch Elements Fertilizer - this will ensure that your tree has all it needs for a healthy growing season!
How To Prune
Pruning may not be needed on this low maintenance tree. If you need to clean it up, it's best to do so in late winter.
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.
