Smoke Bush

Description

The Smoke Bush (or Smoke Tree) is a striking ornamental shrub or small tree known for its colorful foliage and unique, airy flower clusters that resemble puffs of smoke.

Smoke Bush – Plant Description

• Common Name: Smoke Bush, Smoke Tree

• Botanical Name: Cotinus coggygria (European species) or Cotinus obovatus (American species)

• Family: Anacardiaceae (cashew family)

• Plant Type: Deciduous shrub or small tree

Appearance

• Height/Spread: 6–15 feet tall and wide (can be pruned to shape or maintained as a smaller shrub)

• Foliage:

  • Oval, smooth-edged leaves

  • Color varies by cultivar—green, deep purple, burgundy, or golden

  • Brilliant fall colors: orange, red, or purple

• Flowers:

  • Tiny flowers form in large, airy panicles

  • Pinkish or purplish “smoky” effect comes from the long, feathery flower stalks (not the flowers themselves)

  • Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

🌞 Growing Conditions

• Light: Full sun (best foliage color and flowering)

• Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates poor or rocky soils

• Water: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established

• Hardiness Zones: USDA 5–9

✂️ Care & Maintenance

• Pruning:

  • Light pruning to shape or remove dead wood

  • Can be cut back hard in late winter to encourage dense foliage and control size

  • Hard pruning reduces flowering but enhances foliage color

• Fertilizer: Rarely needed; avoid overfeeding to prevent leggy growth

• Pests/Diseases: Generally trouble-free, but may occasionally face verticillium wilt or rust

🌼 Uses

• Excellent as a focal point, in borders, or in mixed shrub beds

• Adds dramatic color and texture to landscapes

• Attracts pollinators; deer-resistant