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Parrotia subaequalis

Chinese Ironwood

Plant Type:

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS

Parrotia subaequalis (form. Hamamelis subaequalis aka Shaniodendron subaequalis) - please be aware that we are offering both tree and shrub forms; choose accordingly from the SKU bar. Thank you. A fine addition to the landscape and one that's now rare in the wild Parrotia subaequalis will grow naturally into a large, spectacular shrub if left on its own. Or with some attentive pruning it can be formed into a beautiful small tree. Tiny late winter flowers are glowering dark red becoming speckled with yellow pollen. On close examination the little spidery flowers demonstrate their close allegiance to Hamamelidaceae, a family filled with aristocrats. The bark becomes mottled and exfoliates into a mosaic of brown, gray and green and tan to pink; it's a fine feature in the winter landscape. The Chinese Ironwood develops even better autumn tones than does its close brethren and better known Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica) displaying vibrant fire engine reds, orange and/or yellow with smatterings of burnished purple possibly with touches of pink. Parrotia subaequalis appears to behave well and consistently in a broader range as this fine woody is more heat tolerant that the Persian Ironwood making it a better choice for gardeners in the deep south. It also appears to be even more cold hardy than the Parrotia persica and so may avail itself to gardeners living farther north. Don't cheat it: plant it in fertile, draining ground in plenty of sun. Having stressed that it is also true that this fine plant offers fair drought tolerance once it has grown into and claims a distinguished spot in your landscape. Established Chinese Ironwood, cutting grown.


Height:

15-25 ft

Spread:

10-15 ft

Colors:

Dark Red

Zone:

(4b)5 to 8
What is my hardiness zone?

Characteristics and Attributes for Parrotia subaequalis

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Late Winter

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Spring / Summer / Autumn

Interesting Bark

  • Colored
  • Exfoliating

Autumn Interest

  • Autumn Leaf Color

Nature Attraction

  • Deer Resistant
  • Songbirds
  • Honey Bees & Native Bees

Light

  • Full Sun
  • Mostly Sunny

Attributes

  • Hedgerow
  • Drought Tolerant
  • Accent
  • Specimen
  • Alee
  • Hedge
  • Filler

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Moderately Fast

Soil

  • Fertile
  • Draining
  • Moist

Origins

  • China

Propagated By

  • Cutting Grown