Plant Guide

Cotinus coggygria

• Common Name

  Smoke Tree, ’Royal Purple’
• CA Native

  Non-native
• Plant Type

  Tree
• Size

  10’ - 15’ X 10’ - 15’
• Flower Color

  Pink/Purple
• Bloom Time

  • Spring
• Leaves

  Dark Purple, Red in the Fall
• Evergreen

  Deciduous
• Deer Resistant

  Rarely Damaged
• Wildlife Value

  • Bird Habitat
• Growth Rate

  Slow
• Hardiness

  Hardy
• Adverse Growth Factors

  None
• Special Features

  • Fall Color
  • Specimen
  • Unusual Shape
• Water Use

  • Low
• Soil pH

  5.5-6.4 (acid)
• Exposure

  • Full Sun
  • Partial Shade
  • Shade
• Soil Type

  Not Particular
• Drainage

  Good Drainage
• Description and Cultural Plant Tips

  Masses of billowy hairs on spent flowers in summer lend to a striking smoky effect, especially from a distance.

   

• Master Gardener Comments

  Excellent color and textural contrast in a mixed shrub planting.

   

• Varietals

  ‘Pink Champagne’ 4’ - 8’ X 6’ - 8’ has green leaves.

  ‘Purpureus’ has purple leaves that turn green and purple flowers.