Felder Rushing
Family
Anacardiaceae
Botanical Name
COTINUS coggygria
Plant Common Name
Common Smokebush, European Smokebush
General Description
At its showiest, few shrubs are as pretty and effusive as the common smokebush. Its small flowers produce puffy ivory, pink or purple clouds of smoky fruits that persist for a couple of weeks before dissipating. It does not become too large and may be multi-trunked and shrubby or single-trunked and tree-like. Originating from southern Europe to eastern China, it naturally exists along hillside forests and mountain thickets. With age, most specimens will develop rounded, open crowns.
The rounded, medium blue-green leaves of common smokebush are attractive, distinctive and turn shades of yellow, orange and red in fall. Some cultivars even sport showstopping gold, purple or burgundy foliage throughout the growing season. In summer, large panicles of inconspicuous flowers appear followed by long, curled, densely-packed, hair-like fruits that look like large puffs of smoke. These are highly ornamental and may be ivory, dusty green, pink, dusty rose or purple.
Common smokebush prefers sites with full sun to partial shade and moderately fertile to rocky, poor well-drained soil. It is quite slow growing, and has strong limbs that resist breaking, so pruning is rarely required. Pests and disease problems are few but it may succumb to leaf spots—particularly in humid, moist weather. Occasionally, leaf rollers are a problem.
Plant common smokebush as a small street tree, in shrub borders or as a specimen plant. There are many fine cultivars to choose from such as the purple-leaved and flowered ‘Royal Purple’ and ‘Velvet Cloak.’
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 3
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 9
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Sunset Zone
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
12'-25' / 3.7m - 7.6m (15)
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Width
6'-15' / 1.8m - 4.6m
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Bloom Time
Summer
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Native To
Eastern Europe, Central Asia, China
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Green
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Fruit Color
Pink, Rose, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow, Red, Orange
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Bark Color
Sandy Brown, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
