Parrotia persica (Ironwood) seeds

Deciduous, short-trunked small tree with many interesting features. Its grey and fawn coloured bark is flaky and the foliage is rich green turning yellow, orange and red-purple in autumn. A real spectrum of autumn colours on one tree! In addition, small red flowers are borne on bare branches in early spring. Likes lots of sun and will grow in any soil, but autumn colours are best in slightly acid soil.

Hardy Tree
Flowers: Early spring
Height: 7m, Spread: 10m
Position: Full sun

Packet of 10 seeds

GROWING GUIDE

These seeds have a double dormancy which needs to be broken before they will germinate, ie., they need to go through a process which simulates the changing seasons.

Sowing Instructions: Sow at any time of the year. Sow in pots of moist seed compost (eg. John Innes) mixed with perlite, vermiculite or horticultural grit, cover with a thin layer of compost, perlite or vermiculite and seal inside a polythene bag. Maintain an optimum temperature of 18-21C for 5 months, then place the pots in the fridge for a further 3 months. After this, return to 18-21C and germination should take place within the next few months. Throughout this process check regularly and ensure the compost does not dry out.

Alternatively, sow as above and place in a cold frame or sheltered part of the garden and let nature take its course as the seasons change.

Growing Instructions: Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm pots. The little trees are best grown on for at least two years in pots or a nursery bed and protected from frost for at least the first winter. Plant out once established in a sunny position.