Autumn spectacle awaits with the smoke bush, promising a vibrant display throughout the upcoming season
Discovering the Charm of Cotinus: A Guide to Growing Smoke Bush Shrubs
Smoke bush shrubs, also known as Cotinus, are a captivating addition to any garden. With their attractive, rounded leaves and feathery flower plumes, these hardy plants offer a burst of colour throughout the seasons.
Best Sun and Soil Conditions
Cotinus perform best in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. While they can tolerate partial shade, flowering and colour intensity may be reduced. The ideal soil for Cotinus is well-drained, adaptable to various soil types including chalk, clay, sandy soils, and soils with different pH levels. Soil should be moderately fertile to average fertility and moist but well-draining.
Growing Cotinus
Cotinus are suitable for exposed and windy sites, coastal areas, and are hardy enough to withstand cold winters. Good air circulation around the plant is important to avoid disease. Mulching with wood chips can help keep roots cool and moist, but should be kept away from the stems. For maximum ornamental value, pruning is recommended in early spring to maintain shape and encourage healthy growth.
Exploring Cotinus Varieties
There are numerous Cotinus cultivars to choose from, each offering unique foliage and flower colours. For instance, Cotinus coggygria Golden Spirit (= 'Ancot') boasts whorls of bright-yellow leaves that turn lime-yellow and then apricot-salmon before they fall. On the other hand, Cotinus coggygria 'Kanari' offers fresh lemon-yellow leaves that turn purple in autumn.
The cultivar Dusky Maiden (= 'Londus') features small, deep-burgundy, wavy-edged leaves that turn rich red in autumn, while Green Fountain (= 'Kolcot') offers deep-green leaves that turn orange-red in autumn and produces prolific, smoky grey-green inflorescences in summer. Cotinus coggygria 'Notcutt's Variety' offers oval, red-purple leaves that turn red and orange in autumn and produces feathery, pale-pink flower panicles in summer. Lastly, Cotinus coggygria 'Pink Champagne' delights with pink flower plumes in summer and scarlet autumn foliage tints.
Where to See Cotinus
To experience the beauty of Cotinus firsthand, visit the following locations: RHS Wisley Plant Centre, RHS Garden, Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB; Barcham Trees, Soham, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 5XF; Ashwood Nurseries, Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 0AE; Thorp Perrow Arboretum, Bedale, North Yorkshire DL8 2PS; The Bath Priory, Weston Road, Bath BA1 2XT; Larch Cottage Nurseries, Melkinthorpe, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2DR; and Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Ampfield, Hampshire SO51 0QA.
The common name of smoke bush or smoke tree is inspired by the wispy character of its flowers. Cotinus coggygria 'Notcutt's Variety' was raised at Notcutts Nurseries, Suffolk, in 1915. Cotinus are large, hardy, deciduous flowering shrubs that are a must-have for any garden enthusiast seeking a touch of colour and charm.
