Majestic Trees to present critically endangered Chinese Ironwood to royalty at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Majestic Trees, the award-winning specialist Hertfordshire tree nursery, presented His Majesty King Charles III with an exceptionally rare Parrotia subaequalis (Chinese Ironwood) at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this Monday 18 May.

A royal partnership

Majestic Trees has been privileged to supply several Royal Estates, including Buckingham Palace, Sandringham, Highgrove and Windsor, for many years, with a particular focus on rare and unusual varieties over the past four years.

One plant, in particular, was specifically requested by the Royal Estates who valued the exceptional quality of stock previously supplied by Majestic Trees, with two specimens of Parrotia subaequalis supplied to Sandringham.

In seeking to further broaden the provenance of Parrotia subaequalis, Majestic Trees learned that Balmoral Castle was interested in growing Parrotia subaequalis. By separating the genetic provenance of these plants, horticulturists will not only be able to observe differences in growth across contrasting climates, but also ensure the species can be appreciated by a wider audience long into the future.

As a gesture of appreciation for the continued faith and trust placed in Majestic Trees to source the highest-quality, unusual plants, the nursery is honoured to donate this Parrotia subaequalis to Balmoral Castle. The gift represents both a token of thanks for our long-standing relationship with the Royal Estates, and a meaningful contribution towards the ex situ conservation of this critically endangered species.

A critically endangered species

Parrotia subaequalis (Chinese Ironwood) is an extremely rare species, and rarer still in cultivation within the UK, particularly as a more mature specimen. Its foliage is notably more delicate than that of the more commonly grown Parrotia persica, while the species can also retain the previous season’s leaves through winter (marcescence), with traces of purple autumn colour remaining visible.

The species is found in mountain forests, surviving in tiny fragments within the most densely populated and cultivated areas of China. Under Chairman Mao, unproductive trees such as Parrotia were systematically removed from forests, leaving remaining specimens increasingly vulnerable to pests and diseases, and competition from bamboo. Today, only 14 wild populations are known, with fewer than 100 mature trees remaining. As recently as 10 years ago, only 10% of these were producing seed, leading to the species being listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Despite its rarity, the species attracted relatively little botanical interest and escaped introduction into western gardens during the height of Chinese plant exploration. Its threatened status should make Parrotia subaequalis a prime candidate for ex situ cultivation in gardens such as the Royal Estates, where plants can be maintained by some of the nation’s finest horticulturists.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026: Trees of the Future

In a first for Majestic Trees, the nursery will showcase a display of rare and unusual species selected for climatic resilience within the prestigious Great Pavilion at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, running from 19–23 May 2026. The stand’s theme is:

TREES OF THE FUTURE

Think in decades, not in seasons.

Many of Britain’s trees are under threat from a shifting climate, which is driving a rise in pests and disease. However, this challenge also presents an opportunity to reimagine our treescapes for the future.

Climate modelling suggests London will have Barcelona’s climate by 2050, and Azerbaijan’s by 2100. Many of Britain’s 30–35 native species may struggle to survive in parts of the UK.

At Majestic Trees, diversity is seen as the key to resilience. By broadening the range of species planted today, future treescapes can be designed to thrive for generations.

Trees featured on the stand include:

Zelkova serrata (Japanese Zelkova)
Taxodium distichum (Swamp Cypress)
Corylus colurna (Turkish Hazel)

As featured on BBC Gardener’s World

As recently featured on BBC, Majestic Trees appears in Episode 8, now available on BBC iPlayer. The programme explores the nursery’s work with trees for climatic resilience, alongside expert insight from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Majestic Trees will also exhibit again at RHS Sandringham Flower Show from 22–26 July 2026.

Visit Majestic Trees

Majestic Trees is open to both trade and retail customers six days per week. The nursery offers more than 13,000 trees and over 600 varieties of semi-mature and mature trees, shrubs, and hedging plants, including many rare and unusual specimens.

For more information, visit Majestic Trees or contact
info@majestictrees.co.uk