Smoke Tree or smokebush
Cotinus coggygria (ANACARDIACEAE)
Planting and Growing Smoke Tree
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow smoke tree or smokebush in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, seed pods, and seeds of smoke tree or smokebush
- Growing conditions for smoke tree or smokebush
- When and where to plant smoke tree or smokebush
- How to plant smoke tree or smokebush
- How to shape, prune and control growth of smoke tree or smokebush
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of smoke tree or smokebush
- Landscape uses of smoke tree or smokebush
- Pest and disease control for smoke tree or smokebush
Growing Smoke Tree
Several cultivars of medium-growing, bushy, open, woody, deciduous shrubs, to 15 ft. (4.5 m) tall, with smooth, blue green or purple, oval, pointed leaves, to 3 in. (75 mm) long, turning purple, red in autumn.
Common cultivars include Cotinus coggygria ‘Daydream’, ‘Nordine’, ‘Purpureus’, and ‘Velvet Cloak’.
American smoke tree, Cotinus obovatus, is a related native species.
Smoke Tree Planting and Care Guide
Flowers and Seeds
Tiny, yellow flowers in early summer form dangling, branched clusters of lavender or purple, hairy “smoke,” with small, berrylike, hard seed.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 5–9.
Soil Type and Fertility
Dry, well-drained soil. Fertility: Average–low. 6.0–8.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Full sun. Space 15–20 ft. (4.5–6 m) apart.
Proper Care
Easy. Allow soil surface to dry between waterings until established. Avoid fertilizing, pruning. Propagate by cuttings, layering, seed.
About This Species
Good choice for accents in arid, meadow, rock gardens. Drought, smog tolerant. Pest and disease resistant.