Persian parotia (Parrotia persica C. A. MEY) is a representative of the Hamamelidaceae family and a monotypic genus, which means that there is only one species here. There were four species in the Tertiary in the area of today's Europe, but only one has survived to this day. Parotia naturally occurs in northern Iran - it grows in the north-eastern part of the Lenkoran Lowland and on the slopes of the Talysh mountains, where it can be found at an altitude of 700 to 1200 m above sea level. In natural positions it grows up to 20 m. It grows very slowly, and after 150 years it reaches 15 m. In cultivation it is a tall shrub or a small tree, growing up to 5 m.It grows rather bushy in the gardens. The bark on the shoots is brownish black, and on the older and thicker ones it peels off in lobes of various sizes, similar to that of the London plane tree. During the leafless period, it is a decorative element that gives the plants a very original appearance. The leaves are obovate, dark green and glossy on top. The edge of the leaves is wavy and sometimes hairy. In autumn the leaves take on beautiful colors: they become scarlet red with yellow discoloration, or they are all purple, orange and yellow. It is precisely for this beautiful effect of leaf color that you can cultivate this Iranian beauty in your garden.
Parotia begins vegetation in the second decade of March or in the first April. Then flowers develop which are inconspicuous, bisexual without perianth, i.e. they do not have petals with anthers. They are dark red. The fruit is a woody bag that bursts open in September and ejects seeds.
In the garden, plant parotia in sunny positionsor slightly shaded, sheltered from frosty winds.It grows well in moist, fertile and fresh, acidic soils. It looks impressive when planted singly or in groups in flowerbeds with perennials and other flowering shrubs, and its charm is revealed in autumn when the leaves are colored.
The shrubs of the Persian parotia (especially young specimens) are not fully frost-proof, so it is worth protecting them against winter. A conductor damaged by frost forces plants to grow bushy.
Amateur parotia is reproduced from ordinary dumps which take several years to root. It is also possible to propagate from herbaceous cuttings in June. They are rooted in tunnels and greenhouses. Seeds are sown in spring in boxes in an acidic substrate. The variety with overhanging shoots is grafted in January / February on witch hazel rootstocks.
Recommended for growing in gardens:
• 'Biltmore' about leaves turning yellow in autumn
• 'Lamplighter' with green leaves with original irregular white and cream color,
• 'Pendula' - a short tree with branches overhanging the soil surface,
• 'Spinners' - purple leaves, very shiny on top,
• 'Venessa' - a short tree with a narrow conical crown. The leaves turn beautifully purple or orange in autumn.
