THE CROWN JEWEL: Secure one of only ten 2nd-year bare root Persian Ironwood specimens. No restock this season.

Pre-orders open now. Dispatching Late July 2026. Supplied as a premium 2nd-year bare root specimen—the most developed grade in the Reserve.

Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica)

$89.95

Premium Victorian Network

Pre-order for Late July 2026. BioSecure HACCP certified for Eastern States. TAS, WA & NT: Contact before ordering.

10 Specimens — Strictly Limited
2nd Year Bare Root Grade
Three-Season Ornamental Display
BioSecure HACCP Dispatch

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Three Seasons. One Allocation. Ten Trees.

To acquire Parrotia persica as a 2nd-year bare root specimen is to take custody of one of the most ornamentally complete deciduous trees available in temperate horticulture. It earns its place in a serious collector’s garden through three completely distinct seasons of performance, not one. First, an autumn display of intense multi-tonal crimson, orange, and gold. Second, year-round exfoliating bark that reveals a stunning mosaic of cream, grey, and fawn on mature wood. Third, tiny crimson flowers erupt on bare stems in late winter, weeks before leaf emergence. Every specimen in this strictly limited 10-unit allocation is field-grown by our specialist Victorian grower network, Nationwide Trees, and supplied under BioSecure HACCP certification for Eastern States and ACT. This is the crown jewel of the Bare Root Reserve 2026.

Strict scarcity — only 10 specimens available. No restock this season. Pre-order now to secure your allocation for Late July 2026 dispatch.

2nd year bare root — the most developed stock grade in the Bare Root Reserve. Superior root architecture for immediate establishment.

The London Plane effect — develops highly sought-after exfoliating bark, creating year-round architectural interest as the tree matures.

BioSecure HACCP certified — every specimen is legally self-certified and cleared for immediate interstate dispatch to Eastern States and the ACT.

At a Glance

Stock Format: Bare root — 2nd Year field-grown grade
Est. Cane Height: Confirmed upon arrival from grower in Late July 2026
Mature Size: 6–12m height × 4–8m spread (Moderate growth rate)
Growth Habit: Broadly spreading; can be trained as a multi-stem or single-leader
Style: Specimen Planting / Collector Gardens / Prestige Cool-Climate Landscapes

BARE ROOT ESTABLISHMENT: DISPATCHING LATE JULY 2026*
*Your tree will arrive fully dormant—a bundle of clean roots and a structured branching framework with no leaves. This is the safest, most efficient state for deciduous transplanting. Plant within 48 hours of receipt to establish immediately before the spring flush.

There is a moment in late winter, before almost anything else in the garden has stirred, when the Parrotia persica opens its flowers. They carry no petals—just a tight cluster of crimson stamens emerging from scaled buds along bare grey branches. Most gardeners walk past them; the ones who stop tend to become lifelong collectors of the species. Native to the cool, humid highland forests of the Alborz Mountains in northern Iran. The Persian Ironwood is arguably the finest all-season deciduous tree available in Australia.

The autumn display is exceptional: a multi-tonal riot of burgundy, scarlet, orange, and gold appearing simultaneously on the same canopy, beginning earlier and holding longer than its contemporaries. As the tree matures, the bark begins to exfoliate in irregular plates, revealing a striking mosaic of cream, grey, olive, and warm tan beneath. This is a tree with a genuine, arresting presence across the full calendar year. With only 10 2nd-year bare-root specimens available, this allocation is a fleeting opportunity to secure a true botanical masterpiece.

Three Ornamental Seasons: Multi-tonal autumn foliage, year-round exfoliating mosaic bark, and delicate crimson late-winter flowers. No other deciduous tree delivers across all three.
2nd Year Bare Root: 2nd Year Bare Root | Description: Supplied at the most developed stock grade in the 2026 Reserve. Unbound, field-grown roots establish with far superior architecture compared to potted stock.
Extreme Scarcity: Parrotia is rarely produced by Australian bare root growers. Ten specimens represent our entire 2026 allocation. It will not be restocked this season.
Cool-Climate Prestige: Thrives in the Southern Highlands, ACT, VIC, and TAS highlands, where genuine winter chilling hours drive its spectacular autumn colour saturation.

Complete Your Bare Root Reserve

Pair the Persian Ironwood with the other strictly limited, architectural centrepieces of the 2026 collection.

Trusted by Gardeners Like You

★★★★★

"The Parrotia was one of the most rewarding bare-root plantings I've done. It broke dormancy in three weeks, and the bark character in its second year is already exceptional. The root system that arrived was well-developed — clearly field-grown with real care."

— Martin K. — Rare Plant Collector, Kyneton (VIC)

★★★★★

"I'd never planted bare root stock before — SVF's pre-dispatch instructions walked me through the process step by step. The autumn colour in its first full season was better than I expected for a young tree. Exceptional value for the root size received."

— Alonzo L. — Home Gardener, Moe (VIC)

★★★★★

"I specified two Parrotia for a heritage-style garden in the Macedon Ranges. The root quality on arrival was what you'd expect from specialist production stock — not what you find at standard trade suppliers. The pre-order communication was first-rate."

— Paul R. — Landscape Designer, Woodend (VIC)

Why does Parrotia persica cost more than other species in this collection?

Parrotia persica is the highest-value specimen in the Bare Root Reserve 2026 — and the pricing reflects what it costs to produce 2nd-year bare root stock of a genuinely uncommon species. Parrotia is not widely grown by Australian bare-root producers: seed sourcing is challenging, germination rates are variable, and growing stock to 2nd-year grade adds a full additional season to the production cycle. When you factor in its three-season ornamental performance and its extreme scarcity at this grade, the price represents exceptional value for a prestige landscape tree.

Is it actually a Witch Hazel?

While it belongs to the Hamamelidaceae family, making it a botanical relative of true Witch Hazel (Hamamelis), it is a distinctly different plant. The Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica) has an entirely different leaf shape, growth habit, and bark structure, and its tiny crimson flowers lack the spidery yellow petals associated with Hamamelis.

My Parrotia arrived dormant with no leaves. Is that normal?

Completely normal — and exactly what a healthy bare root specimen should look like. Your tree will arrive as a bundle of clean roots and a structured branching framework. Soak the roots in water for 12–24 hours before planting, prepare your site, and plant within 48 hours of receipt. Bud break at the growing tips will appear within 2–5 weeks of planting.

Is Parrotia persica suited to my climate?

Parrotia persica performs best in cool-temperate and cool-climate environments with genuine cold winters: the Southern Highlands, ACT, elevated inland NSW, Victoria, and Tasmania. Cold winters are what drive the depth and complexity of the autumn colour display. The species is not suited to coastal subtropical, tropical, or highly humid northern environments.

Detailed Description and Specs

Parrotia persica — the Persian Ironwood — is native to the Alborz mountain range of northern Iran, where it inhabits cool, humid highland forest along the southern shores of the Caspian Sea. The name “Ironwood” refers to the exceptional density and hardness of its mature timber[cite: 147], a botanical detail that speaks to the species’ long-lived, structurally robust character.

In cultivation, it forms a broadly spreading tree or large multi-stemmed specimen, depending on training, typically reaching 6–12m in height with a canopy spread of 4–8m over several decades. Growth rate is moderate —this is not a quick-impact species, but one whose ornamental value deepens year on year as the exfoliating bark develops and the canopy broadens.

Our 2026 allocation comprises ten 2nd-year bare-root specimens from Nationwide Trees. Every specimen is biosecurity-cleared before dispatch under BioSecure HACCP certification.

Species: Parrotia persica (Persian Ironwood / Persian Witch Hazel)
Growth Rate: Moderate — ornamental value deepens progressively over decades.
Autumn Colour: Multi-tonal — crimson, scarlet, orange, and gold simultaneously.
Bark: Exfoliating in irregular plates revealing cream, grey, olive, and warm tan.
Flowers: Petal-less crimson clusters on bare stems, late winter.
Best For: Specimen planting, prestige landscape design, and long-term custodian planting.

Care and Planting Guide

Parrotia persica is a resilient tree once established, provided its core requirements are met from the outset. Bare-root planting during dormancy is the optimal method for establishing this species.

Sunlight & Location: Full sun to part shade. Performs best in cool-temperate zones (Southern Highlands, ACT, VIC, and TAS). Autumn colour saturation is significantly enhanced by genuine winter chilling hours. Shelter from harsh, desiccating winds is beneficial.
Soil & Drainage: Adaptable to a range of soils, including loam and slightly clay-heavy sites, provided drainage is adequate. Avoid waterlogged or compacted sites — the fine root system is intolerant of prolonged saturation.
Watering: Consistent moisture during the first two full growing seasons is essential. Once established, it demonstrates good drought tolerance. Do not allow bare roots to dry out between arrival and planting; soak roots in water for 12–24 hours prior to planting.
Pruning: Minimal intervention required. Parrotia develops its characteristic broadly spreading form naturally and resents heavy structural pruning. Remove any dead or crossing wood in late winter once dormancy is fully established.

Shipping and Delivery

Pre-Order — Dispatching Late July 2026
This is a pre-order product. Your tree will be dispatched in Late July 2026 — the optimal planting window for bare root deciduous stock. No charge is processed until dispatch confirmation is sent.

Eastern States (NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD, SA)
Eligible for standard shipping via our specialist plant freight network. Nationwide Trees holds BioSecure HACCP certification — the nationally audited commercial nursery biosecurity standard administered by Greenlife Industry Australia — providing legal self-certification of consignments for interstate dispatch to all Eastern States and ACT.

Tasmania (TAS)
Bare-root deciduous stock requires specialist Bass Strait biosecurity clearance. Due to the nature of bare root packaging — stick length varies significantly by species and grade — we are unable to confirm freight eligibility without reviewing your specific order. Please contact us before placing your order, and we will confirm availability, route, and freight costs for your destination.

Western Australia & Northern Territory (WA & NT)
Shipping to WA and NT requires mandatory agricultural inspection and treatment via our Plant Concierge Service. Bare-root stock dimensions may also affect the available freight pathways to your destination. Please contact us before ordering — we will confirm treatment requirements, sizing eligibility, and provide a custom freight quote.

Lord Howe Island & Norfolk Island
We are unable to ship to Lord Howe Island or Norfolk Island under any circumstances.

Secure Your Allocation — Ten Specimens Only

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