Plant of the Week
Smoke Bush
Each week, OGV sub-committee member, Gayle Parkes presents the 'Plant of the Week'. She also posts to OGV's Instagram - make sure you check back weekly for her latest post. This week Gayle brings us the brilliant and unusual Smoke Bush.
The Smoke Bush – Cotinus – is one of the most beautiful of deciduous large bushes/small trees. With a flower like no other, Smoke Bush fits perfectly into any garden, big or small. Adaptable to most soils and able to cope with part shade to full sun, it is frost hardy, drought tolerant once established and it brings interest into the garden at all times of the year. A great backdrop, border or specimen plant.
I particularly love the purple leaved cultivars with their all year round gifts to us gardeners, from their bare bones, their rich purple foliage, those positively amazing wafting and waving 'flowers', followed by the spectacular blaze of autumn brilliance! These photographs are from my friend’s garden and include Cotinus coggygria 'Grace', C. 'Royal Purple' and C. 'Velvet Cloak'.
The name "Smoke Bush" derives from the billowy hairs attached to the flower clusters that remain in place through the summer, turning a smoky pink to purplish pink. The large inflorescences develop in late spring with many small flower buds. Most of these buds abort and the small, feathery plume grows in its place. En-masse, these give the appearance of purplish-grey smoke. A large specimen can be enveloped in this ‘smoke’, which can be long lasting giving an unusual and beautiful display.
There are some amazing cultivars, including, 'Flame', 'Golden Spirit', 'Grace', 'Velvet Cloak' and 'Royal Purple', all with absolutely stunning colours and leaves that start one colour, deepen to another and then hit autumn in a flamboyant extravaganza! The autumn effect is enhanced even more if your Smoke Bush is planted where you can enjoy afternoon backlighting – they positively glow.
Cotinus coggygria var. purpurea: This variation of the Smoke Bush is a hardy, deciduous shrub well suited to cooler areas. Soft purple foliage deepens in colour over summer, particularly if planted in full sun and is retained until autumn when it turns a brilliant orange colour. The flowers are borne on the ends of long stalks over the warmer months. Grows around 3m-5m.
Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple': Its leaves are initially a soft purple with pretty green underside, deepening into a stunning wine red to dark purple which persists until autumn. Large fairyfloss-like, hazy purple flower heads appear from summer to autumn on all branch ends. In autumn the foliage turns a brilliant orange-red to scarlet. Around 2m x 2m.
Cotinus coggygria 'Velvet Cloak': Another deep purple, burgundy foliaged large shrub/small tree turning dramatic oranges and reds in autumn. Its flower plumes form a contrasting pink smoke. Around 4m x 4m.
Cotinus coggygria 'Grace': If you want autumn colour, it’s hard to go past 'Grace'. The leaves emerge pale red, then deepen to mid-purple, sometimes blue tones creep in depending on light conditions, before finally changing to a gorgeous array of pink, red, orange and scarlet in autumn. The colder the temperature, the more vivid the colours. Flowers are a lovely smoky pink. Around 3m -4m.
You can make the Smoke Bush into a small tree or keep as a bushy shrub. If opting for a tree, then select a strong stem to make a trunk and prune to form a tree. If growing to a shrub, then prune plants heavily in winter for the first few years to develop multiple stems – yes you will lose the flowers during this formative pruning time, but you will set yourself up for decades of low maintenance ease and enjoyment. Cotinus can be vigorous growers, but they respond well to being pruned back very hard. Pruning will encourage the brilliant dark purple new growth of the purple-leaved cultivars. However, be aware that Cotinus flower on second-year wood, so pruning a complete tree every year will mean that you will never get to enjoy the ‘smoke’. A good compromise is to prune back 1/3 or 1/2 of the branches each year. This will enable you to keep the tree in shape and still get to see the wonderful flowering display.
My friend successfully propagates her Smoke Bush by layering.
You will not regret finding a spot for one in your garden. I have had to settle for planting 'Royal Purple' in a huge pot in my small plot. Thank goodness I can visit open gardens and enjoy the larger varieties planted in a more spacious environment. Look out for the fiery brilliance of this wonderful plant in your neighbourhood. They are at their autumnal best right now!