Persian Ironwood

Description

Persian ironwood is a slow-growing deciduous tree native to northern Iran and Azerbaijan. It is especially prized for its spectacular autumn foliage, when the leaves develop shades of yellow, orange, crimson and purple—often all at once. Small red flowers appear on the bare branches in late winter, while older trees develop attractive flaking bark in patches of grey, cream and brown. Its common name refers to its exceptionally hard, dense timber.

This specimen grows in the grounds of St Mary’s Church in Ipswich and was identified for me by Tony, who tends the gardens there. Tony is usually accompanied by Skipper, a cantankerous terrier, and the considerably more endearing puppy Jerico.

Tony describes his activities as gardening. Those wishing to be both diplomatic and fashionable might prefer the term “rewilding.”