Plant DetailShow Menu

Smoke Tree Cotinus coggygria 'Ancot' GOLDEN SPIRIT

Other plants called Smoke Tree:

This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

The award-winning 'Golden Spirit' smoketree is a large shrub or small tree that is primarily grown for its unique showy golden yellow leaves in the Anacardiaceae (cashew or poison ivy family).  Flowering is questionable, as it was not created to flower like other varieties of the genus.   After 4 years of testing, the patent issued in 2002 remarked "no flowering has been observed by the inventor to date".  However, in the commercial market, nurseries do state that 'Golden Spirit' will produce tiny flowers followed by smoky panicles similar to other cultivars.  If flowering takes place, it will be on old wood.  

Plant in the full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil.  The best leaf coloration can be achieved when situated in full sun.  

Mass plant it or plant in small groups in a shrub border.  Its striking leaves make it an excellent choice for a specimen or accent plant.  It works well to screen or it can be pruned into a hedge.  Cutting back will result in new stems and larger, brighter foliage.  The foliage is typically sun tolerant and scorch resistant unless extremely dry conditions persist.

With its springtime orange tinged chartreuse foliage, summer golden foliage and fall color, 'Golden Spirit' will provide three seasons of interest to any garden.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Although relatively insect and disease free, there is some susceptibility to verticillium wilt, rust and leaf spot.  Will not adapt to damp/moist poorly drained sites.  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:
Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Woods
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#drought tolerant#specimen#deciduous shrub#yellow leaves#fall interest#accent plant#disease resistant#privacy#large shrub#pest resistant#deer resistant#cutting garden#screening#larval host plant#small group plantings#clay soils tolerant#fall color red#butterfly friendly#shrub borders#contact dermatitis#wet soils intolerant#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#drought tolerant#specimen#deciduous shrub#yellow leaves#fall interest#accent plant#disease resistant#privacy#large shrub#pest resistant#deer resistant#cutting garden#screening#larval host plant#small group plantings#clay soils tolerant#fall color red#butterfly friendly#shrub borders#contact dermatitis#wet soils intolerant#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cotinus
    Species:
    coggygria
    Family:
    Anacardiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe and Central China
    Wildlife Value:
    4 Lepidopteran larvae depend on the Cotinus genus.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Buffer
    Colorful
    Screening
    Textural
    Dimensions:
    Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
  • 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
  • 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
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    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
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    It was developed to not flower, but some small yellow flowers have been observed in the spring followed by the smoky panicles that are the tiny hairs connected to the spent flowers that smoke trees are known for.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    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:
    Yellow obovate to ovate leaves 3" long emerge chartreuse with hints of orange. They will turn amber to burgundy or green in the fall.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Grows naturally as a multi-trunked plant, but can be trained to take on a single trunk form.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Small Tree
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    Drought
    Heat
    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