Plant Type

Tree

 

Height Range

12-25', 25-40'

 

Flower Color

Purple, Red

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Dark Green, Purple

 

Bark Color

Grey

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate, Slow

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Ranch, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Fall Color, Multi-trunk Tree, Specimen, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring

 

Location Uses

Background, Shrub Border, Foundation, Patio, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Screen, Shade Tree, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

An uncommon little tree, Persian ironwood is a small, deciduous tree growing slowly to 20 feet but can mature at 40 feet, and 10 to 20 feet wide. Spring leaves emerge reddish, mature to green, with yellow to orange (with a smattering of red) fall color. Though deciduous, it provides a lovely winter vignette: the leaves turn a rich russett brown and stay on the tree until new leaves start to emerge in the spring. Additionally, the mature wood exfoliates, creating an interesting texture. Grown as both a single or multi-stemmed tree. Slow to establish, but a lovely tree for a small area. It has flowers, but the tree has to have some years on it before they appear, and then they blossom under the foliage so place a bench under the tree an enjoy the show.

Grow in full sun in well drained soil; tolerates some shade. Though usually identified as preferring acidic soils, it seems adaptive to other soils as long as they are well-draining. Does well in clay or loamy soils. Tolerant to drought, heat, cold, and wind. Does not generally require pruning, though as the tree grows, it can be limbed up a bit to create a canopy (see Resources). Hardy to USDA Zone 4.