Cotinus coggygria aka Smoketree

Taxonomy

Cotinus coggygria, also known as smoke bush or smoke tree, is a deciduous shrub that belongs to the Anacardiaceae family. It is native to Eurasia and is sometimes referred to as Venetian sumach or dyer's sumach. The plant has an upright, multi-stemmed habit and can be grown as a garden specimen. It is popular for its beautiful purple-pink smokey plumes and purple leaves found on some cultivars. The leaves are ovate in shape, waxy green, and turn yellow, orange, or purplish-red in fall depending on the variety. The name "smoke bush" comes from the billowy hairs attached to the flower clusters, which turn a smoky pink to purplish-pink over time. Smoke bush is dioecious, meaning it has staminate and pistillate flowers borne on different individuals. 'Royal Purple' smoketree, a cultivar of Cotinus coggygria, is a large shrub or small tree with a compact growth habit and showy purple leaves. It was introduced to the United States in 1953, originating from Boskoop, Holland.

Common names

Smoketree, Smoke Bush, Fustet, Smokebush

How to care for Smoketree

Difficulty

Smoketree is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal attention, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Water

Smoketree should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Smoketree loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Smoketree prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

Smoketree is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Fertilizer

The growth of Smoketree is not rapid and it doesn't necessitate any extra fertilization. By replacing its potting soil once a year, it should receive ample nutrition. It is important to note that plants obtain their energy from the sun's rays, not from fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the plant as it grows upwards.

Region of origin

Smoketree’s native range is S. Europe to W. Asia.

More info:
Wikipedia