Persian Parrotia has a lot to offer the garden. Unfortunately, late winter flowers are not on the top of the list. Witchhazel is the choice for winter flowers.
This is an energizing time of year for nursery employees and gardeners alike. The catalogs are full of listings of new, collector or unusual plants. Trucks are arriving daily at garden centers full of trees and shrubs. And, best of all, there are flowers! Unfortunately, not all flowers are created equal.
You would think by now that when Dan, a seasoned landscape professional, tells me that he plants Persian Parrotia for a number of reasons but none of them include spring flowers I would pay attention. Dan appreciates the value Parrotia adds to the winter landscape with interesting branching structure and exfoliating bark. He loves the fall foliage colors ranging from orange to purple. The smaller mature size allows him to use this tree under power lines, in smaller residential lots and in multi-family developments where landscape space is at a premium. As a member of the witchhazel family, Dan knows that Parrotia has a high tolerance for water and can be used in areas with drainage issues.
So, knowing all this and respecting Dan's experience and opinions, why did I spend the past few weeks inspecting the flower buds in anticipation of the late winter, early spring flowers? Day after day, week after week, I checked out the deep red flower buds looking for some sign of the red witchhazel-like flowers. Since we had a warm dry winter, the irrigation system was up and running in hope that this would help push the flowers. It didn't work. From a distance the buds continued to look a bit unsightly like oak stem gall. Close up there was only fleeting beauty.
On the other hand, there is no missing the bright neon ribbon like flowers of Pallida Witchhazel, a tree that Dan loves in late winter and early spring. On both sunny days and cloudy days, the flowers glow. In tree form, this fragrant witchhazel is a good choice for courtyard gardens. The cultural needs are similar to Parrotia's - acidic soil, ample moisture, partial sun. The fall foliage is a clean yellow.
Without a doubt, Pallida Witchhazel's early flowers will wow you. A word of caution, this is not a tree for introverts. Be ready for visitors to the garden inquiring as to the variety of the tree and commenting on the bright flowers. An under planting of perennials that hold the foliage through the winter would be a nice compliment. Also, include drifts of spring flowering crocus around the base. Nordic Inkberry can provide a soft evergreen backdrop to this garden. Rhododendrons will add good contrasting foliage and continue the spring flowers. If you can find it, try the miniature Rhododendron, Ramapo, in this small garden space.
This spring when you go shopping for plants take time to read the tags but also remember to listen to your trusted gardening friends. They may save you from missing a flowering show that shouldn't be missed.
Have you had similar experiences with Parrotia and Pallida Witchhzael? Or, do you know the secret to getting Parrotia to produce flowers? I'm looking forward to learning from your experiences.
© Susan Mertz, March 2006. All rights reserved.
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