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Royal Purple Smoketree Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple'

Previously known as:

  • C. coggygria 'Kromhout'
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

The award-winning 'Royal Purple' smoketree is a large shrub or small tree with a compact growth habit and showy purple leaves in the Anacardiaceae (cashew or poison ivy) family.  It was introduced into the United States in 1953, originating in Boskoop, Holland. 

The tiny flowers that appear on 6" to 8" long panicles are insignificant, however, 'Royal Purple' has the signature smoketree plumes of billowy hairs that follow the blooming.  They are attached to the elongated stalks of the spent flower clusters.  The hairs are pink to purplish pink and appear as fluffy puffs.  The colors and texture giving an appearance of smoke.  

Planting in a location that provides full sun will lead to the best leaf coloration.   Evenly moist, well-drained soil is preferred.  It will not tolerate overly wet soils.  A layer of mulch will help retain moisture.  Once established, the plant will be drought tolerant.  

Pruning can be accomplished in late winter to early spring.  Cutting back hard will promote the growth of new shoots, however, will sacrifice flowering.  

Mass plant it or plant in small groups in a shrub border.  Its striking leaves and spent flowers make it an excellent choice for a specimen or accent plant.  It works well to screen or it can be pruned into a hedge.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Relatively pest and disease free, leaf spot, verticillium wilt and rust can appear.   This plant is in the same family as poison ivy and contact with the resinous sap may cause contact dermatitis especially to those sensitive to poison ivy.

More information on Cotinus coggygria.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Floricyle
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#drought tolerant#specimen#purple leaves#deciduous shrub#showy leaves#fall interest#mass planting#disease resistant#pest resistant#deer resistant#bushy#long bloom time#cutting garden#floral arrangement#screening#larval host plant#deciduous tree#small group plantings#compact habit#clay soils tolerant#shrub borders#contact dermatitis#compact#wet soils intolerant#hedge#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#drought tolerant#specimen#purple leaves#deciduous shrub#showy leaves#fall interest#mass planting#disease resistant#pest resistant#deer resistant#bushy#long bloom time#cutting garden#floral arrangement#screening#larval host plant#deciduous tree#small group plantings#compact habit#clay soils tolerant#shrub borders#contact dermatitis#compact#wet soils intolerant#hedge#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cotinus
    Species:
    coggygria
    Family:
    Anacardiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern Europe to central China
    Wildlife Value:
    4 Lepidopteran larvae depend on the Cotinus genus.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Buffer
    Colorful
    Screening
    Textural
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Open
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Insignificant
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small insignificant yellow flowers appear in spring are followed by showy pink to purple puffs which are 6"-8" panicles of hairs that remain attached to the flowers after they are spent and remain on the plant.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Black
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Simple, ovate to obovate purple leaves with entire margins. 3" long they appear in the spring as red and mature to purple and then purple-black. Fall color can be variable.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Multi stemmed.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    Drought
    Insect Pests
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Contact with the sap of the plant may cause contact dermatitis.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Urusiol
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Sap/Juice