About
This small, upright tree with attractive, flaking bark and small red flowers on bare stems in late winter and early spring. The young foliage is red and bronze turning green for summer then producing spectacular autumn colour with shades of red, orange and purple.
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, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Architectural, City and courtyard gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a well-drained or moist but well-drained soil in full sun for the best colour; makes a good, small, 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