Smoke tree
Cotinus coggygria · Anacardiaceae
📷 LIght Dim · CC0
⚠️ Sève irritante pour peau et muqueuses chez tous. Ingestion provoque troubles digestifs; chiens/chats risquent complications.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around smoke tree and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous, green turning to autumn tones (yellow-orange-red shades)
- Flowering
- June to July, small pale yellow flowers in light panicles
- Mature Size
- 3 m tall, 2.5 to 3 m wide
- Growth
- Moderate to fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -20°C
- Origin
- Southern Europe, Southwest Asia, Himalayas
- Soil Type
- Well-draining, tolerates chalky and poor soils
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Install it in full sun without regular watering after the first year. Rather dry soil promotes better autumn colors.
The common mistake
Watering it regularly causes it to lose its characteristic bright red tints, which only express themselves in dry conditions.
The pro's trick
Pick a few colored branches at the end of the season for dry arrangements, without unbalancing the shrub.
Care
Sun Exposure
Plant the Smoke Tree in full sun for optimal growth and spectacular autumn coloring. It tolerates partial shade but produces fewer flowers. Avoid overly shaded locations that reduce vigor.
Watering
Very economical with water once established, it prefers dry to moderately moist soils. Water regularly during the first two years after planting. In dry conditions, occasional watering is sufficient; avoid excess moisture which encourages fungal diseases.
Soil
This shrub adapts to most well-draining soils, including chalky and poor terrain. Overly rich or wet soil can reduce the beauty of the foliage. Improve drainage with sand or gravel if necessary.
Pruning
Prune lightly after flowering or in late winter to maintain a harmonious shape. The Smoke Tree tolerates pruning well and can be rejuvenated if overgrown. Remove dead wood or crossing branches to air out the center of the shrub.
Fertilizing
Undemanding, it generally does not require regular fertilization. An application of slow-release organic fertilizer in spring is sufficient. Avoid overly nitrogen-rich fertilizers which promote excessive growth at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and Pests
Generally very robust, it may occasionally suffer from powdery mildew in excessive atmospheric humidity. Ensure good air circulation around the shrub. No major pests recorded; simply monitor for root rot in case of waterlogged soil.
Did you know?
The Smoke Tree gets its colorful name from its spectacular inflorescence: after flowering, the pedicels become covered with long silky hairs that form an airy mass resembling an 18th-century powdered wig. This unique botanical feature has fascinated European gardeners since its introduction and remains one of the most remarkable ornamental characteristics of this shrub.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.