Smoke Bush Varieties That Will Add Color And Interest To Your Garden

Smoke bush (Cotinus coggygria) is a deciduous shrub or small tree that is known for its colorful foliage and airy, plume-like flowers. It is a relatively easy plant to grow and care for, and it can add a touch of elegance and drama to any garden.

There are many different smoke bush varieties available, each with its own unique color and growth habit. Some of the most popular varieties include:

• 'Royal Purple' is a large shrub or small tree with deep purple leaves that turn brilliant red and purple in the fall.
• 'Golden Spirit' is a smaller shrub with golden yellow leaves that turn orange in the fall.
• 'Grace' is a fast-growing shrub with red wine spring foliage that deepens to a plum color in the fall.
• 'Nordine' is a small shrub with deep burgundy-red-bronze summer leaves that give way to purple-red and orange leaves in the fall.
• 'Pink Champagne' is a smaller shrub with bronze-tinted new leaves that soon turn pale green. The pink flower plumes of this cotinus are abundant in summer and are followed by scarlet autumn foliage tints.

Smoke bushes can be planted in full sun or partial shade. They prefer moist, well-drained soil, but they are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. Smoke bushes are relatively drought-tolerant once established, but they will benefit from regular watering during the first year after planting.

Smoke bushes are not fussy about pruning. They can be pruned in early spring to shape the plant or to remove dead or damaged branches. Smoke bushes can also be coppiced, which is a type of pruning that involves cutting the plant back to the ground every few years. This will encourage the plant to produce new, bushy growth.

Smoke bushes are relatively pest- and disease-free. However, they can be susceptible to aphids, scale insects, and powdery mildew. If you see any pests or diseases on your smoke bush, treat them immediately with an appropriate pesticide or fungicide.

Smoke bushes are a beautiful and versatile addition to any garden. They can be used as a focal point in a flower bed, as a hedge, or as a specimen plant. Smoke bushes are also deer-resistant, making them a good choice for gardens in areas with a high deer population.

Smoke bushes (Cotinus coggygria) are deciduous shrubs or small trees that are known for their beautiful, billowy plumes of flowers that resemble smoke. There are many different varieties of smoke bush, each with its own unique foliage color and growth habit. Some popular varieties include:

• Royal Purple: This variety has dark purple leaves that turn a rich red in autumn. It is a large shrub that can grow up to 6 feet tall and wide.
• Golden Spirit: This variety has bright yellow leaves that turn apricot-salmon in autumn. It is a smaller shrub that grows 4-5 feet tall and wide.
• Lilla: This variety has lavender-pink leaves that turn apricot in autumn. It is a compact shrub that grows 3-4 feet tall and wide.
• Daydream: This variety has green leaves with creamy yellow flowers. It is a smaller shrub that grows 4-5 feet tall and wide.
• Nordine: This variety has dark purple leaves that turn yellow-orange in autumn. It is a large shrub that can grow up to 8 feet tall and wide.

If you are looking for a beautiful and versatile shrub for your garden, a smoke bush is a great option. There are many different varieties to choose from, so you can find one that perfectly suits your needs. To learn more about smoke bush varieties, visit Garden Wiki.

FAQ of smoke bush varieties

Q: What are the different smoke bush varieties?

A: There are over 100 different smoke bush varieties, but some of the most popular ones include:

• Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple': This variety has deep purple leaves and produces fluffy, pink-purple flower clusters in the summer.
• Cotinus coggygria 'Golden Spirit': This variety has yellow-green leaves and produces fluffy, cream-colored flower clusters in the summer.
• Cotinus coggygria 'Grace': This variety has small, red-purple leaves and produces fluffy, pink-purple flower clusters in the summer.
• Cotinus coggygria 'Silver Cloud': This variety has silvery-white leaves and produces fluffy, pink-purple flower clusters in the summer.
• Cotinus coggygria 'NCC01' (Winecraft Black® Smoke Bush): This variety has dark purple leaves and produces fluffy, black flower clusters in the summer.

Q: What are the best smoke bush varieties for my climate?

A: The best smoke bush varieties for your climate will depend on your hardiness zone. Smoke bushes are generally hardy in zones 5-9, but some varieties are more cold-hardy than others. If you live in a cold climate, you'll want to choose a variety that is hardy to zone 5 or 6. If you live in a warm climate, you can choose a variety that is hardy to zone 9.

Q: How much sun do smoke bushes need?

A: Smoke bushes need full sun to partial shade. They will tolerate some shade, but they will not flower as well in shady conditions.

Q: How much water do smoke bushes need?

A: Smoke bushes are relatively drought-tolerant once established. However, they will need more water during the first year after planting. Water them deeply once a week during the first year, and then water them as needed during the following years.

Q: How do I prune smoke bushes?

A: Smoke bushes can be pruned in the spring or fall. They can be pruned to any shape or size, but they will typically grow to be 6-10 feet tall and wide. If you want to keep your smoke bush compact, you can prune it back by one-third in the spring.

Image of smoke bush varieties

• Royal Purple Smoke Bush is a popular variety with deep purple leaves that turn reddish-purple in the fall. It is a fast-growing shrub that can reach up to 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
• Silver Cloud Smoke Bush is a smaller variety with silvery-green leaves that turn yellow in the fall. It is a slow-growing shrub that can reach up to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide.
• Flamenco Smoke Bush is a colorful variety with purple, orange, and yellow leaves. It is a fast-growing shrub that can reach up to 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
• Golden Spirit Smoke Bush is a golden yellow variety with orange-red leaves in the fall. It is a slow-growing shrub that can reach up to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide.
• Velvet Cloak Smoke Bush is a dark purple variety with maroon leaves in the fall. It is a fast-growing shrub that can reach up to 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide.