Persian Spire Ironwood

The Persian Spire Ironwood (Parrotia persica ‘JL Columnar’) is a small-to medium sized columnar tree with showy foliage. It has a dense and sometimes crooked branching habit and a very upright and narrow form that has a slightly delicate appearance and fine texture. In the spring, its leaves emerge as deep purple and mature to shiny medium green for the summer. Oftentimes a purple border remains on the leaves during the summer. In the fall, the foliage has another impressive transformation to an array of yellows, oranges and darker reds that are long-lasting and ever-changing throughout the season. In the winter, this tree provides interest to the landscape with its gray, flaky bark.  

The Persian Spire Ironwood was discovered in 2013 by John Lewis of JLPN Nursery in Salem, Oregon. This cultivar is unique for its upright columnar form, finer leaves and twigs, and a more delicate appearance, all while maintaining the appealing characteristics of the ironwood species (brilliant foliage all three seasons). It is a slower grower than the parent species. This tree is a great option for the yard planted in groups as colorful hedge borders or screens. It also is a fine tree to be planted on its own near a house or structure and makes a great decorative street tree. It prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soils.