ShrubsCotinus coggygria
Smoke Tree
The smoke tree is a spectacular ornamental shrub with cloud-like, fluffy flower plumes in shades of pink appearing in June and July, giving the tree its 'smoky' appearance. Cultivars with dark purple foliage provide dramatic colour throughout the season. Autumn colour is equally impressive.
Characteristics
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Low
- Height
- 300–500 cm
- Spread
- 300–500 cm
- Hardiness zone
- 5–8
- Family
- Anacardiaceae
- Evergreen
- No
- Flower colors
- pink
- Wildlife value
- bees
Bloom period
Care guide
Plant in full sun in well-drained, not overly rich soil. Too much fertility produces more foliage at the expense of flowers. The shrub is drought-tolerant once established. Protect young specimens from severe frost in the first winters.
Pruning tips
Prune sparingly to maintain the natural form. Remove dead wood in early spring. For extra-large leaves you can hard-prune each spring, but this sacrifices the flowers.
Good companions
ShrubsLavandula angustifolia
English Lavender
Lavender is a beloved herb with aromatic silver-green foliage and purple-blue flower spikes. This evergreen plant blooms profusely from June to August and is remarkably drought-tolerant, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.
PerennialsPerovskia atriplicifolia
Russian Sage
Russian Sage is a graceful sub-shrub with silvery-grey aromatic foliage and airy lavender-blue flower plumes from July to September. The plant can reach 150 cm and gives borders a hazy, ethereal quality. Russian Sage is highly drought-tolerant and thrives on poor, dry soil.
Ornamental grassesMiscanthus sinensis
Chinese Silver Grass
Chinese Silver Grass is a striking ornamental grass that adds structure to any garden with its tall plumes and gracefully arching leaves. Silvery-white plumes appear from August to October and catch the autumn and winter light beautifully. The dried grass remains attractive throughout winter.