Growing Parrotia (Parrotia)

Pronunciation: par-roe'-tee-ah

Grow in full sun (or partial shade in the South) and slightly acid, well-drained soil. The best time to prune is in late winter, before the flowers, which are curious but not very showy, emerge. This tree is slow to break dormancy in the spring. Fertilize in early spring, using a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10.

Emerald green leaves in summer turn varying shades of golden yellow, orange, and brilliant scarlet, transforming the tree into a blaze of color that even the showiest Maple has difficulty rivaling. With maturity, bark begins to peel, revealing patches of silver, green, and cinnamon.

Medium rate of growth—10' over a 6-8 year period. May spread to 15-30', and plans are sometimes wider than tall. Plants are essentially pest-free.

Suggested use: as a specimen tree