smoketree

Common Name: 
smoketree
Scientific Name Genus: 
Cotinus
Family Name: 
Anacardiaceae
Identification Notes
Adaptable to many soils and pHs, but prefers a well-drained soil in full sun. Drought resistant.
Native Habitat
Native to southern Europe and China. Hardy zones 5 to 8.
Growth Habit
Large, upright deciduous shrub growing 12-15' tall and wide. Generally multistemmed with a rounded to irregular spreading form.
Cotinus coggygria form
Leaves
Oval to ovate leaves blue-green leaves with a rounded or notched tip. Parallel veins. Leaves are 1.5-3.5" long and have long petioles (up to 1.5")
Fall color can be a mix of yellow, orange, and purple-red. Can be variable.
Cotinus coggygria leaves
Cotinus coggygria leaves
Cotinus coggygria leaves
Cotinus coggygria leaves
Bark and Stems
Stems are purple to brown and covered with a waxy bloom.
Older bark is light gray and in small blocks.
Flowers
Flowers are small and yellow-green occurring in large terminal panicles (6-8") in June.
Flowers are showy due to the billowy hairs that come from the spent flower clusters that turn smokey pink to purple throughout the summer.
Cotinus coggygria flowers
Cotinus coggygria flower panicle
Fruit
Not ornamental.
Bloom Time
June
Common Problems
No serious insect of disease problems. Can be susceptible to leaf spot, rust, and verticillium wilt.
Varieties or Cultivars
'Royal Purple' - common purple-leaved cultivar
'Velvet Cloak' - purple-leaved cultivar. Orange-red fall color.
'Daydream' - green-leaved cultivar with "extra fluffy" inflorescences
'Young Lady' - more compact, shrub cultivar growing 4-6' tall
'Ancot' aka Golden Spirit - yellow foliage
Landscape Uses
Can be planted as a specimen or in groups.