Smoketree

Common Name: Smoketree
Scientific Name Genus: Cotinus
Family Name: Anacardiaceae

Cultural Comments

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

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")
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")
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.