About
An upright, columnar tree, ultimately to about 6m tall and 3m across, with flaking, grey-green and pale brown bark. Leaves are narrowly oval, opening rich purple, becoming dark green with a purple margin, then red, orange and yellow in autumn. Clusters of small, greenish flowers with conspicuous red anthers appear in late winter to early spring.
About the genus
Parrotia are deciduous trees with broadly ovate leaves which colour well in autumn, and small but abundant red flowers in late winter and early spring
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Sand, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a well-drained soil, in full sun for the best colour; makes a good, small, narrow, specimen tree. For more advice see tree cultivation
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood or softwood cuttings
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus