Cotinus - Smoke Tree, Smokebush

(Cot'inus)

DESCRIPTION: This group consists of three hardy, deciduous shrubs or small trees that grow in a range of environments in the temperate parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Commonly known as Smoke Trees or Smokebushes, these shrubs produce masses of plumed, silky flower stalks, which give a "smoky" effect. C. coggygria grows from 8 to 12 feet and has smooth, rounded, green leaves that turn pretty fall colors. The fawn-colored inflorescences grow from 6 to 8 inches long; they are borne freely from early to mid-summer. By late summer, they will have turned smoky gray. C. coggygria var. Foliis Purpureis is a medium-sized shrub with beautiful plum-purple leaves that turn to light shades of red in the autumn. C. coggygria var. Foliis Purpureus is a medium-sized shrub that bears large panicles of purplish-gray flowers, which resembles puffs of pink smoke from a distance. The greenish-purple leaves also turn pretty fall colors. C. coggygria var. Royal Purple is a variety with dark wine-purple foliage that turns red in the fall.

POTTING: Smoke Trees can be grown in any well-drained soil, in full sun. If the soil is too fertile, the fall colors will suffer and the shrubs will become coarse and sappy. Pruning consists of only removing dead wood or, in the spring, shortening any straying shoots.

PROPAGATION: Seeds may be sown, root cuttings may be taken, and branches may be layered. The purple-leaved kinds are increased by the latter two methods.

VARIETIES: C. coggygria & var. Foliis Purpureis, Foliis Purpureus, Royal Purple, Rubrifolius, Velvet Cloak; C. 'Flame'; C. 'Grace'; C. obovatus.

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