Persian Ironwood

In Spring, inspired by the witch hazel in full glorious yellow flower, we went in search of a red flowering witch hazel, with no luck. Instead we came home with a Persian Ironwood tree, related to the witch hazel and with similar tiny red flowers early in Spring. We are getting our moneysworth now, the colour of the leaves is astounding, almost glowing even on a sunless day like today.

The tree hasn't been in this country very long, about 150 years, being brought over as its name suggests from Iran.

We did get a red flowering witch hazel later in the year, and I think its colour is going to rival this one.

 Ghazal
for the Persian ironwood

You're dressed in pink, a hint of sin to it.
You blush and there's the rush of Spring to it.

Your bark peels pearl, a bluish spice, the sun
the snuff of leopard, snake still cling to it.

Your leaves slip-coated, are swimming with fish,
a splash of wind brings a green swing to it.

Where you are fluted, each grey tangled branch
cleaves to itself to make a twin to it.

You long for the sea, Alborz forests, your
late blaze of red a silent hymn to it.

As Persia says, Ann, when you mouth my name
it has a wild exotic ring to it.

Ann Gray
The ghazal is a poetic form using rhyming couplets, originating in Arabic poetry.