The startling red winter flowers of the Persian Ironwood tree (Parrotia Persica) – emerging on 09/01/2017 – looking variously like little: tongues, tentacles, spiders or fingers
The wonderful Parrotia persica ‘Vanessa’ grows into a small tree with interesting flaking bark, these very early tiny red flowers and stunning autumn foliage.
‘Vanessa’ was named after the Vanessa butterfly genus (Red Admirals, Painted Ladies etc) to highlight its colourful, flame-like autumn leaves
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Stunning photographs, it is wonderful to see the flowers close up. I never noticed the hairiness before.
It is quite possible to walk passed the tree and not notice anything. The slightly red fuzzy calyx is a nice contrast to those scarlet petals.
What color! For winter, it’s quite a show off, isn’t it?
Yes, but nicely wrapped up warm against the weather too.
Marvellous images, the curious details are so fascinating.
Eventually the flowers hang down, but I like them at this emergent stage.
So beautiful, that color. Red? Carnelian? Ruby? Whatever, it must be very welcome during this dark time of year.
They’ve got one planted opposite a Cornus mas at Wimpole, so that you have bright red on one hand and bright limey yellow on the other. You do have to look more closely for the Parrotia though. Brilliant to cheer up the winter though.