Cotinus
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rhus cotinus
- Phonetic Spelling
- ko-TYE-nus
- Description
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This is a genus of 7 blooming deciduous trees or shrubs in the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) native to Europe, Asia and the Southeast United States.
They can grow from 4 feet to heights in excess of 20 feet. They do best in full sun in moist to dry clay soils that aren't overly fertile, as this causes excessive growth, poorer fall color and a shorter life span. Pruning back in early spring promotes better leaf production and controls the size.
They are commonly grown for the large, plume-like panicles that give a smoky haze to the tips of the branches. They appear after the flowers and are long-lasting. The leaves can be green, purple or gold and display good fall color changes. Please consider using the native smoke tree for your yard (C.obovatus)
Use these shrubs or trees as an accent or specimen in the pollinator garden or as a foundation plant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Powdery mildew and verticillium wilt are occasional issues.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Cotinus coggygria., Cotinus obovatus
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Cotinus coggygria., Cotinus obovatus
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cotinus
- Species:
- Cotinus
- Family:
- Anacardiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The wood has been used to make yellow dye.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, China, East Central and Southeastern U.S.A, Mexico
- Wildlife Value:
- Many pollinators are attracted to the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Buffer
- Colorful
- Textural
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Cream/Tan
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Each drupe 3/16" long flat light brown will contain a single seed.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Feathery flower plumes are large and give a smoky appearance. Individual flowers are 1/8" with 5 greenish white petals.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- 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:
- The rounded leaves produce a beautiful fall showing in multiple colors.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Black
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- Gray to black bark
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Foundation Planting
- Small groups
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
