Multi-stem Trees
Parrotia persica
Persian ironwood
One of the finest trees for autumn colour, Parrotia persica turns fiery shades of red, orange and gold. As a multi-stem, its graceful spreading habit and flaking bark make it a true year-round specimen.
Spectacular autumn colour in red, orange and gold
Patchwork bark that flakes with age
Tiny crimson flowers on bare stems in late winter
A broad, elegant multi-stem silhouette
Please check before you visit. Our nursery is very well stocked, but what we hold changes with the seasons, so this plant may not always be in stock. Enquire before you head over and we will check availability and the sizes we have for you.
At a glance
Type
Multi-stem tree
Foliage
Deciduous
Seasons of interest
Autumn colour, winter flowers and bark
Eventual size
Typically 8 to 12 m tall, with a wide spread
Position
Full sun or partial shade
Soil
Moist but well-drained; best colour on neutral to acid soil
Hardiness
Fully hardy in the UK
Available
A range of sizes and forms. Ask our team for current specimens and pricing.
Why we love it
Parrotia persica is one of those trees that rewards you in every season. Fresh green leaves give way to an extraordinary autumn display, and in late winter small crimson flowers appear along the bare branches.
With age the grey bark flakes into a patchwork of cream, fawn and green, which is shown off perfectly by the multi-stem form.
How to use it
Give it space as a statement tree on a lawn or at the end of a vista, where its spreading shape can develop. It also makes a superb focal point in larger borders and woodland-style planting.
Planting and aftercare
Plant between autumn and spring and keep well watered through its first two summers. It needs very little pruning; remove any damaged or crossing stems in late winter and let its natural shape develop.
See it in person
Every plant at Form is hand-selected, none contains new peat, and nothing beats choosing yours by eye. Visit our Row Town showroom in Surrey, just 30 minutes from London, where our team will show you the best of what is on the nursery right now. We deliver across London, Surrey and the Home Counties, and nationwide.
Walk in any time during opening hours and you will be looked after. If you would like dedicated time with a specialist, book a Genus Bar appointment.
Frequently asked questions
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Usually from mid to late autumn, when the leaves move through yellow and orange to deep red, often all at once on the same tree.
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It tolerates a range of soils, including some lime, although autumn colour tends to be richest on neutral to acid soil. Our team can advise on your site.
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We keep a very well-stocked nursery, but our stock changes with the seasons, so availability varies. Please email us before you visit and we will check what we have and the sizes available.
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Yes, and we would love you to. Every multi-stem tree is individual, with its own branch structure and character, so we always encourage customers to choose by eye. Our largest specimens are held at our Row Town showroom in Surrey. Walk in any time during opening hours, or book a Genus Bar appointment with one of our specialists. If you can’t visit, we are happy to send photographs of individual trees.
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Yes, we deliver nationwide. Deliveries are arranged by our dedicated in-house operations team, and larger specimens can be offloaded by HI-AB or Moffett where needed. We will always agree the most suitable option with you before delivery.
All our multi-stem trees
Explore every tree in our multi-stem trees collection, or view them all with photographs →
Parrotia persica
Can’t see what you’re looking for?
Get in touch and we’ll help you find it. Our nursery is very well stocked and we can source almost any plant through our network of trusted growers. Email info@formplants.com, or send us your whole plant list through our bespoke sourcing service.