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Cotinus coggygria
smoke tree, smoke bush
Southern Europe east through central Asia to northern China; dry rocky slopes and open woodlandsLearn more
Overview
Cotinus coggygria is smoke tree (smoke bush), an upright deciduous shrub growing 10-15 feet (3-4.5 m) tall and 10-15 feet (3-4.5 m) wide. Blue-green rounded leaves 2-3 inches (5-7 cm). Tiny yellowish-green true flowers in loose terminal panicles 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) in June-July. The smoke-like display is created by elongating pink to purplish hair-like pedicels on spent flower clusters — persists 4-6 weeks. Turns yellow, orange, red, and scarlet in fall (variable among seedlings). In Anacardiaceae (the cashew/sumac family). Native to southern Europe through central Asia to northern China. Verticillium wilt is the primary disease limitation — causes sudden wilting and death of branches or the entire plant. The fungus persists in the soil — avoid planting where verticillium-susceptible crops have been grown. The sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Tolerates poor, dry, rocky soil — excess moisture and fertility reduce the smoke display and fall color. Deer-resistant. Drought-tolerant once established. Toxic to pets. Zones 4-9. Full sun. Growth rate is moderate to fast.
Native Range
Native to southern Europe east through central Asia to northern China. Found on dry rocky slopes and open woodlands.Suggested Uses
Grown as a specimen shrub, back-of-border accent, and in mass plantings spaced 10-15 feet (3-4.5 m). Summer smoke display. Multicolor fall foliage. Tolerates poor dry soil. Verticillium wilt susceptible. Deer-resistant. Toxic to pets. Zones 4-9.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height10' - 15'
Width/Spread10' - 15'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Early to midsummer (June-July). Tiny yellowish-green flowers in loose terminal panicles 6-8 inches (15-20 cm). The smoke display (elongating hair-like pedicels) persists 4-6 weeks after flowering. Bee-pollinated.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Tiny yellowish-green true flowers in loose terminal panicles 6-8 inches (15-20 cm); the smoke-like display is created by elongating pink to purplish hair-like pedicels (flower stalks) on spent flower clusters that persist for weeksFoliage Description
Blue-green, rounded, 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) wide; pinkish when young; turns yellow, orange, red, and scarlet in fall — fall color is highly variable among seedlingsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun (6+ hours). Well-drained poor to average soil pH 5.5-7.5. Tolerates dry rocky soil. Excess moisture and fertility reduce smoke production. Verticillium wilt — avoid planting in verticillium-infested soil. Sap can irritate skin. Prune in early spring (March). Deer-resistant. Toxic to pets. Zones 4-9.Pruning
Two approaches: (1) For smoke plumes — prune lightly in March, removing dead or crossing branches only (smoke forms on 2+ year old wood). (2) For foliage display — coppice annually in March by cutting all stems to 6-12 inches (15-30 cm); this produces large leaves on vigorous new growth but eliminates the smoke display.Pruning Schedule
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early spring